According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the annual rise in consumer prices was 9.5 percent in January 2009.

750 workers in Bursa’s third-largest steel factory who are members of a trade union have begun to strike.

Various socialist parties, labor organizations and individuals announced their plan for a “roof party” that combines all these organization to struggle for democracy. The movement will continue with local meetings.

Tayfun Görgün, secretary-general of the Confederation of the Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK), says the cost of the crisis should be laid on those responsible for it. He advises unity against measures meant to make the workers pay for the crisis.

Tens of thousands of workers from different provinces marched against the economic crisis and the government, declaring that the workers will not pay the cost. The unions demanded an end to the terminations and the price increases.

The Human Rights Association investigates the conditions of the seasonal workers in the Black Sea provinces of Turkey. As if not enough that they are discriminated economically, they are also treated as criminals.

The Tuzla workers think the training they are receiving will not solve the problem, since the problem is not the lack of training, but forcing the workers to the limits beyond their capacity. Even with the training, they still have to do what their employer says, since they will lose their jobs.

The Anarchist Bloc members protested the deaths at Tuzla Shipyards at Taksim Square. Police did not let them march to Galatasaray with their flags, banners and symbolic sandbags.

Another accident takes place in Tuzla shipyards. This time it happens when the employers decide to use workers instead of sandbags to test their newly produced lifeboat.

The deaths of the workers in Tuzla boatyards finally get government’s attention. Two boatyards are shut down temporarily and the Prime Minister meets with the sector representatives.

The shipyard workers’ strike at Tuzla shipyards begins. The police prevents the strike on its first day by accompanying the service busses of the workers.

According to the agreement between the Public Services Employees Union and Dikili municipality, the International Women’s Day, May Day and the Resistance of 15-16 June will be paid holidays. The wages will increase by 25% in the first year.