‘Rate of Covid-19 Cases Among DİSK Members 3.2 Times Higher Than Turkey Average’

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The Confederation of Progressive Trade Union of Turkey Research Center (DİSK-AR) has released its third report regarding the effects of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on its members.

The report dated April 27, 2020 has been prepared based on the data provided by the unions affiliated with the confederation.

'At least 535 DİSK members have tested positive'

The report of the Confederation has shown that at least 535 workers who are members of the DİSK have tested positive in Turkey so far.

While four DİSK members have lost their lives due to the outbreak till today, at least 628 people are currently in quarantine.

According to the report of the DİSK, which has almost 185,000 members, over 60,000 DİSK members have been directly affected by the outbreak.

Other findings from the report are as follows:

Food sector: Measures are getting less strict

The report has also included 64 food producers employing 50 to 4,000 workers and still operating amid Covid-19 pandemic. 

Approximately 45,000 workers work in these 64 factories across Turkey. Not only did the employers fail to take necessary measures last week, it has also been observed that the precautions in effect have got less strict.

This situation is making workers more concerned. The businesses that previously halted work restarted their operations as of last week.

As no precautions have been taken in the last week, there are now new businesses with Covid-19 cases. The increase in production continues.

Despite this increase in production, businesses turn to hired worker offices for daily workers, rather than employing permanent staff. The ones hired from these offices are mostly employed in warehouse and packaging.

In the last week, the number of workplaces with Covid-19 cases has increased to 9. Workers have tested positive in 26 businesses.

Latest figures on infected workers

The report dated April 27 has shared the following figures on the infected DİSK members from April 20 to 26, 2020:

Including the previously announced cases, the number of workers who have tested positive for Covid-19 has increased to 407. 92 workers have been diagnosed with the virus over the past week.

The workplaces where workers have tested positive are as follow by provinces: İstanbul:10, İzmir:6, Manisa:2, Kocaeli:2 Rize:2. Bursa:1, Balıkesir:1, Kırklareli:1, Ankara:1.

The total number of workers working in 26 businesses with confirmed Covid-19 cases is around 32 thousand.

Of the workers who tested positive for Covid-19, 4 workers have lost their lives due to the virus so far.

The provinces where workers have tested positive for Covid-19 are as follows: İstanbul: 216, İzmir: 76, Manisa: 3, Kocaeli: 61, Rize: 28, Bursa: 14, Balıkesir: 6, Kırklareli: 1, Ankara: 2

The situation in workplaces with Covid-19 cases

It covers businesses operating in the fields of catering (fast food), white and red met production and post-processing of meat, tobacco processing, chocolate, confectionary, red meat processing, cigarette, fruit juice production, chewing gum, coffee, legumes packaging, white sugar, biscuits, tea, milk and dairy products, yoghurt and cheese production, fizzy drink and beverage production and bread production.

• Food factories continued production during the curfew by getting a permission.
• In the provinces where the curfew was in effect, workers had to work at the weekend, including the night shift.
• The businesses that previously halted their operations have started working again as of last week.
• The practice of unpaid leave continues.
• Due to the increase in food production and stock, hectic shifts continue. Instead of hiring news workers, businesses make this extra production with the same workers. The demand for workers from hired worker offices has increased.
• While three 8-hour shifts and two 12-hour shifts continue, workers are not given their weekly leaves due to busy work schedule.
• A vast majority of workers do not see themselves safe from Covid-19.
• Social distance is not adequate in the production facilities, service vehicles and dining halls of several businesses. These measures have become less strict in the last week.
• There is still a shortage of masks, gloves and protective equipments. In some workplaces, workers are given cheap and low quality equipments rather than the ones that would provide full protection.
• There is still a shortage of paper towels, toilet papers, soaps and cleaning materials in workplaces.
• There is no improvement in businesses in terms of immune-enhancing food. Some businesses still serve ready-made sandwiches.
• Hygiene and disinfection conditions are not observed in bakeries, bread-selling kiosks and patisseries in terms of working conditions. Workers have to work for long hours. Informal working continues. The workload of bakery workers has increased with the curfews.

(PT/SD)