CHP proposes motion over government's move to postpone Şişecam workers' strike

ANKARA

Around 5,800 workers at 10 factories have been striking since June 23. AA photo

A lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has proposed a motion where the postponement of strikes can only be applied in emergency situations.

This came after the government postponed a strike on June 25 by workers of the Şişecam glass factory in Mersin.

The government decided to postpone strikes on the grounds that it has disrupted “public health and national security.”

Around 5,800 workers in 10 factories have been holding a strike since June 23, demanding an increase in their salary, among other improvements.

The company has said it was only ready to make half of the 23 percent wage increase demanded by the workers and members of the Glass, Cement, Ceramic and Soil Industries Workers’ Union of Turkey (Kristal-İş).

The Cabinet meeting’s decision, published in the Official Gazette on June 27, has requested the postponement of the strike for 60 days.

Citing the previous postponements, Hurşit Güneş of CHP said they practically turn into a prohibition of strikes and proposed a motion that the postponements can only be applied in emergency situations.
The decision of the government comes as the workers had decided to continue the strike following the first talks between union members and company officials.

It also comes at a time when labor rights have been in focus since the Soma mining disaster, which claimed the lives of 301 workers who were mostly on a minimum wage.