ECONOMY - Bianet

ECONOMY

Page 28

‘Our Tea Has Become Our Burden’

‘Our Tea Has Become Our Burden’

Mehmet Gürkan, the Chair of Fındıklı Organic Fruit Producers’ Union, has spoken to bianet about the problems of tea producers in the Black Sea region of Turkey, especially amid novel coronavirus outbreak.

11 June 2020 Evrim Kepenek

Unemployment Rate in March: 13.2 Percent

Unemployment Rate in March: 13.2 Percent

According to the labor force statistics released by the TurkStat for March 2020, the unemployment rate in Turkey was 13.2 percent in March, which marks a 0.9-point decrease in comparison with the same month last year.

Greater Economic Hardships Await Turkey, Say Economists

Greater Economic Hardships Await Turkey, Say Economists

Discussing economy amid pandemic, economists say, “A swift reopening of the economy means a swift abandonment of measures. The government of Turkey has turned its face towards the capital while turning its back on the people.”

‘156 Workers Lost Their Lives in May, At Least 29 Due to Coronavirus’

‘156 Workers Lost Their Lives in May, At Least 29 Due to Coronavirus’

Of 156 workers who lost their lives in May, six were women and six were children, according to a recent report released by the Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG Assembly). At least 29 of the deceased died of coronavirus.

Inflation Rate Exceeds Expectations in May, Climbs to 11.39 Percent

Inflation Rate Exceeds Expectations in May, Climbs to 11.39 Percent

The monthly inflation rate was 1.36 percent as the prices of 282 out of 482 items in the inflation basket increased in May.

Ministry of Trade: Export Dropped by 40.9 Percent in May

Ministry of Trade: Export Dropped by 40.9 Percent in May

According to the statistics released by the Ministry of Trade of Turkey, the export volume of the country has fallen from 16 billion 803 million dollars in May 2019 to 9 billion 964 million dollars in May 2020, which marks a 40.9 percent decrease.

Covid-19 Not Considered 'Occupational Disease,' Union Requests Cancellation of Circular

Covid-19 Not Considered 'Occupational Disease,' Union Requests Cancellation of Circular

The DİSK has applied to the Social Security Institution (SGK) for the cancellation of a circular that considers Covid-19 as a "disease" rather than an "occupational disease."

Essential Goods, Essential Workers and the Essence of Capitalism

Essential Goods, Essential Workers and the Essence of Capitalism

Global capitalism represents the most complex and distant level of organization regarding human's relationship to nature. Now is the time to simplify this relationship and overcome that distance.

30 May 2020 Aslıhan Aykaç

Two Workers Die After Explosion in İstanbul Factory

Two Workers Die After Explosion in İstanbul Factory

A small factory has partially collapsed after an explosion in its boiler room.

Turkey's Economy Grows 4.5 Percent in First Quarter

Turkey's Economy Grows 4.5 Percent in First Quarter

The negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic was limited on the growth as the first case was confirmed in Turkey on March 11.

Türk-İş: Starvation Line of a Family of Four Exceeds Minimum Wage

Türk-İş: Starvation Line of a Family of Four Exceeds Minimum Wage

For a four-member family, the starvation line is 2,438 lira and the poverty line is 7,942 lira, the survey has found.

Grazing Fee to be Charged per Livestock in Pastures of Kırklareli Province

Grazing Fee to be Charged per Livestock in Pastures of Kırklareli Province

Ali Ekber Yıldırım, an agriculture columnist, says that charging fees for grazing livestock in pastures is a routine practice, noting that while the collected money is supposed to be used to regenerate pastures, it is usually not spend for that end.

Fitch Expects Turkey’s Economy to Shrink by 3 Percent in 2020

Fitch Expects Turkey’s Economy to Shrink by 3 Percent in 2020

Fitch has updated its global economic outlook forecasts amid coronavirus outbreak. Having announced that the economy would shrink by 3.9 percent globally, the agency now estimates that the global economy will shrink by 4.6 percent in 2020.

How Has Pandemic Affected Economy in Southeastern and Eastern Turkey?

How Has Pandemic Affected Economy in Southeastern and Eastern Turkey?

Chairs of Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Van and Batman Chambers of Commerce and Industry say that the most important areas of employment are now closed. “No one has suffered in Antep thanks to state support,” according to Chair of Antep Industry Chamber.

25 May 2020 Ruken Tuncel

Turkey’s Central Bank Cuts Policy Interest Rate for the Ninth Time in a Row

Turkey’s Central Bank Cuts Policy Interest Rate for the Ninth Time in a Row

Central Bank has reduced the policy rate (one-week repo auction rate) from 8.75 to 8.25 percent. “While uncertainties on global economic recovery remain high, normalization steps taken by several countries are being watched,” the Bank has said.

Additional Import Tariffs Imposed on 800 Items

Additional Import Tariffs Imposed on 800 Items

Additional tariffs up to 30 percent will be imposed on various goods, according to a Presidential Decree.

At Least 128 Workers Lose Their Lives Due to Coronavirus in 2 Months

At Least 128 Workers Lose Their Lives Due to Coronavirus in 2 Months

“The policies and developments in the second month of the coronavirus outbreak have manifested that the outbreak is a question of class,” the Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG Assembly) has noted in a recent report.

Industrial Production Drops by 7.1 Percent in a Month Amid Pandemic Measures

Industrial Production Drops by 7.1 Percent in a Month Amid Pandemic Measures

According to the industrial production statistics released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) for March, industrial production in Turkey has decreased by 2 percent annually and by 7.1 percent monthly.

301 Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Soma Commemorated

301 Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Soma Commemorated

Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of Soma mine explosion that claimed the lives of 301 workers. The deceased miners have been commemorated by their loved ones, rights and occupational organizations: “Wheels are turning, workers are dying.”

Turkey's Measures Against Poverty in Pandemic 'Inadequate Compared to Other Countries'

Turkey's Measures Against Poverty in Pandemic 'Inadequate Compared to Other Countries'

The Genel-İş union has released a comparative report of several countries' economic measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

6th Year of Occupational Homicide in Soma Mine: ‘Our Struggle will Continue’

6th Year of Occupational Homicide in Soma Mine: ‘Our Struggle will Continue’

It has been six years since 301 miners lost their lives in a mine explosion in Soma, Manisa. Releasing a statement on this occasion, the Soma 301 Miners’ Social Aid Association has said, “We will keep on seeking justice for everyone in this country.”

Soma Commemoration Banned by Ankara Governor’s Office

Soma Commemoration Banned by Ankara Governor’s Office

The symbolic commemoration to be held in memory of 301 miners who died in Soma six years ago has been banned by Ankara Governor’s Office. Four occupational organizations previously requested permission to hold a ceremony at the Miner Memorial.

‘Broad Unemployment Could Reach 16 Million in Turkey in the Aftermath of Covid-19’

‘Broad Unemployment Could Reach 16 Million in Turkey in the Aftermath of Covid-19’

According to a recent report by the Research Center of DİSK Confederation, the broad unemployment in Turkey was 8 million 427 thousand in February. The highest unemployment was recorded among young women in urban areas with 36 percent.

Turkey's Wealth Fund Becomes a Shareholder of State-Owned VakıfBank

Turkey's Wealth Fund Becomes a Shareholder of State-Owned VakıfBank

The Fund has stated that the core capitals of three state-owned banks will be increased by 21 billion lira. With this increase, it will also become a shareholder of the Vakıfbank.

Banking Agency Removes Three Foreign Banks' FX Transactions Ban

Banking Agency Removes Three Foreign Banks' FX Transactions Ban

The agency had restricted the banks from doing transactions with Turkish lira due to alleged "attacks" on the currency.

TurkStat: Unemployment Rate Stood at 13.6 Percent in February

TurkStat: Unemployment Rate Stood at 13.6 Percent in February

The unemployment decreased by 1.1 percent compared to the same month last year.

Turkey Bars Three Foreign Banks from Foreign Exchange with Turkish Lira

Turkey Bars Three Foreign Banks from Foreign Exchange with Turkish Lira

The move will prevent "transactions and applications that might endanger the operation of banks," said the banking agency.

İSİG Report: Nearly Half of Worker Fatalities in April Caused by Covid-19

İSİG Report: Nearly Half of Worker Fatalities in April Caused by Covid-19

The Health and Safety Labor Watch has released its monthly report on occupational homicides.

Deaths from Occupational Accidents Increased Nearly Five Times in Six Years

Deaths from Occupational Accidents Increased Nearly Five Times in Six Years

In 2019 alone, 1,736 workers died because of occupational accidents, according to TurkStat figures.

Annual Inflation Rate Increases by 10,94 Percent

Annual Inflation Rate Increases by 10,94 Percent

The inflation rate has risen by 0.85 percent compared to the same month last year.

May Day: Union Members Released from Detention in İstanbul

May Day: Union Members Released from Detention in İstanbul

Twenty-five members of the DİSK were detained after attempting to march to Taksim Square.

May Day Celebrated with Social Distancing

May Day Celebrated with Social Distancing

People celebrate the Workers' Day in various parts of the country amid the pandemic.