‘We don’t want a favor, but our rights; our resistance is going on’
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In the district of Soma in Manisa and in the district of Ermenek in Karaman, miners have been resisting for their unpaid wages and compensation for months. On October 12, they started marching to Ankara.
While this struggle is still ongoing, it has been reported that their resistance has started to give results. Unable to receive their wages for 8 to 13 months now, the miners of Cenne and Seba Mines owned by Özbeyler company have been paid their unpaid wages. The money has been reportedly deposited into their bank accounts.
However, there are two other mines owned by the same family: Turap Mining, which was closed three years ago, and Özkar Mining, which was closed two years ago. The miners who used to work there cannot get their wages yet. Speaking to bianet about the issue, Independent Mine Labor Union officials have said that they do not consider this to be a gain and they will keep on struggling for their other rights. They have indicated that they have still not been paid their shift premiums and their compensations.
On the other side, the union posted a video on Twitter yesterday evening (October 22) and said, "We don't want a favor, but our rights."
"Don't buy the lies of boss Özbeyler," the statement said and added, "Our resistance is ongoing." Announcing that they would meet at the Günyurt Municipality Square at 11 a.m. today, the union briefly said: "Today marks the 53rd night of our resistance. Don't portray our wages that have not been paid for 15 months as a favor. They are our rightful demands. They are our rights. There is an aggrievement that has been going on since 2014."
LÜTUF DEĞİL HAKKIMIZI İSTİYORUZ!
— Bağımsız Maden İş (@bagimsizmadenis) October 22, 2020
Özbeyler'in yalanlarına kanmayın! Ermenek direnişimiz sürüyor.
Yarın tüm halkımızı madencinin yanında olmaya saat 11'de Güneyyurt Belediye Meydanı'na bekliyoruz.
DİRENE DİRENE KAZANACAĞIZ#ErmenekliMadencilerDireniyor#MadenciyleYürü pic.twitter.com/hbhmQTqQ0A
(HA/SD)
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