Hundreds of workers suffer from food poisoning at Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear plant

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About 300 workers working for the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin, southern Turkey, were poisoned during their lunch break due to contaminated chicken soup, a worker has revealed.

The worker reached out to Labor Party (EMEP) deputy Sevda Karaca, explaining the incident that took place on September 14.

Providing details about the poisoning incidents, the worker also noted that those who dared to speak about these violations were terminated from their jobs.

Different food for Russian employees

MP Karaca addressed her concerns to the Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan, sharing screenshots of the message, which briefly said, "The incident began on September 13 when a company called 'Taner Yemek' served us spoiled meat, resulting in thousands of workers needing hospitalization.

"I have been working here for four months, and they have been serving us spoiled meals for all the time. There is no supervision over the food, and such incidents had occurred before, but the company had covered it up. There is a stark difference between the meals given to us and those provided to Russian workers. Discrimination is evident here.

"The restrooms are in disrepair. People satisfy their toilet needs in an unhygienic environment across the site. We wait in line for hours in the morning. The Russians enter first. Due to our outdated vehicles, accidents frequently occur, and deaths resulting from these accidents are brushed aside as work accidents. Workers who express dissatisfaction and raise their voices are forcibly removed, and their badges are confiscated."

"No one can speak out"

"On that day, I waited in line for hours to receive the serum needed to treat my condition. The hospitals were so overcrowded that people were lying on the floor. I seemed to be getting better, but in the morning, I was rushed back to the hospital with the same complaint.

"That day, the hospitals were so packed that in Mersin, Gülnar, Büyükeceli, Aydıncık, and many other hospitals I'm not even aware of, there were thousands of patients. No one explained anything to us, and there are reports of deaths, but we are not certain about the accuracy of these reports. No one can speak out here because they earn their livelihood from this place. Anyone who speaks out gets fired." (TY/VK)