Gökhan ÇELİK
Ankara

Ankara is amongst the cities which has recorded high rates of infections across Turkey, The infections are particularly high amongst the working class districts of the city. Despite some officials acknowledging the fact that the infections have affected the poor areas more than others some officials deny this fact and believe that the increase in infections rates are due to large gathering like weddings and Eid visits between families. However, most of the people affected by the virus spends over 12 hours a day in undesirable working conditions such as sitting side by side which has led to these factories becoming epicentre of infection. Despite the top officials introducing precautionary measures in public transport network of Ankara the industrial area of Sincan is ignored as it continues full production without any precaution measures being put in place to protect the workers in these factories.

We have visited the workers of the factories in Sincan to talk about their experiences. We have been informed that there are a minimum of 10-12 cases at best. They have also advised that some workers have severe symptoms. For example, in one of the factories (Esra) which has seen 45 positive cases is still kept open and  is continuing its production. What we have been told by the workers of  Hidromek, Aselsan, Mefa, Bozankaya Otomotiv, Mikropor, Erkunt Traktör, Eaton, is that the factory owners are risking workers’ lives for profits.

As the pandemic deepens the pressures the workers are facing is rising. Workers in Mefa are being forced to work two 12 hour shifts to cover for the shortfall caused by sick workers. Ironically workers in Eaton who work side by side without any social distancing measures being put in place are also being fined for sitting side by side during their break times. 

Workers of Aselsan have confirmed that they are continuing to be served cold sandwiches for lunch. One of the workers has said that ‘brother everything is more important than the workers lives’.

FACTORIES HAVE INTRODUCED TWO 12 HOUR SHIFTS TO COVER FOR THE ABSENCE OF SICK WORKERS

A worker in Mefa has informed us that an average of 6 to 7 workers are requiring hospitalisation in  a day. They have further informed us that there are over 100 workers who are sick with the virus. However, the true numbers could be higher.

Another worker who have been working at Mefa for four years has said that ‘they have reduced our shifts from 3 to 2 to cover for the absent workers. We are now working between 8am and 8pm . We are working 12 hours a day during the pandemic. The production is not halting’.

NO ISSUES DURING PRODUCTION BUT FINES WHILST ON BREAK

A metal worker from Eaton has told us that some workers have been fined by the factory owners for not adhering to social distancing measures during their break times. They have been fines a full months wage. However, within the same factory workers are being forced to work with little or no social distancing in place to continue the production. Workers are sat side by side in production lines and in the lunch halls without any precautions being put in place by the factory owners. However, they are being fined for breaking measures during their break time.

“BROTHER EVERYTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR LIVES”

In Aselsan, one of the biggest factories in Ankara it is claimed that there are at least 10 positive cases in a day. Despite the precautionary measures in place the infection is spreading within the factories. The workers are demanding for the production to be suspended and the factory to be put in quarantine. However, rather than halting production the factory owners are continuing with their orders. When asked, “are profits more important than your lives”; the worker responded “brother everything is more important than our lives.”

“WE WENT TO GET TESTED, BUT TURNED AWAY WITH THE FEAR OF CONTRACTING THE VIRUS”

A worker from the Mikropor factory has questioned the government’s actions by declaring that ‘it is not permitted to have a picnic or go fishing with 3 or more friends. However, it is deemed ok to work alongside 100’s of workers in a factory. If this is not pulling the wool over someone’s eyes then what is it?’. He further declared that all state and private sectors in Ankara should enforce the 14 day quarantine rule. ‘The government should cover the wages for the quarantine period. If people are able to pay their bills and not leave their homes there will be no virus. The governors in charge of the state power can also see this. However, they chose to ignore it for economic reasons. Furthermore, they are requesting payments from the ordinary people by giving out the governments IBAN numbers’.

ARE VIRUS CASES IN HİDROMEK BEING KEPT A SECRET?

It has been claimed that 120 workers in Hidromek factory have contracted the virus. The workers in the factory have stated that the factory owners have collaborated with a private hospital to get the workers tested for the virus. However, the results of the tests were not shown online which led to some workers believing that the number of people testing positive is not being shared openly. The workers have said that partial closure of the factory was enforced, however ‘the tendency to fulfil orders was still strong amongst the leaders’. The health and wellbeing of the workers was only considered during period of crisis. The workers also believed that some of the precautions put into place at some factories was too little too late. The precautions should have been taken earlier. There are still areas within the factories which did not practice social distancing. The workers have further said that the rise in cases is causing great anxiety amongst them, One worker has said that they ‘feel worried for their lives during their shifts’. The workers in these factories have been collaborating to help meet the needs of their colleagues who have tested positive for the virus.