BMC (British Motor Company) worker
Izmir 

When the economic crisis of the previous year conjoined with the pandemic conditions of this year, the lives of working people become unlivable. The increased cost of living along with the pandemic process makes our purchasing strength difficult. As if this is not enough, the income tax cuts melts our wages before we even receive it. 

The  second six-month increase which directly affects the many metalworkers affiliated with MESS (Metalware Industrialists’ Union) became clear with the announcement of the August TÜFE (Consumer Price Index).  As a result, the six-month hourly wages only increased by 5.49 percent. The factory in which the Turkish Metal Union is organized, although not affiliated with MESS, closely followed the MESS agreement. Under the contract, a plus 2 raise along with an hourly wage increase of 7.49 percent was made today. There was a 11.70 percent increase of the annual social benefits.  While food inflation is based on 25 percent, the second of the six month food aid increased by 15 percent. Aubergine 30 percent, onion 25 percent, tomato 17 percent, cucumber 14 percent and monthly increases in dairy products reduce the purchasing power of workers and laborers. Nowadays, we find ourselves filling our shopping trolleys to a sum of 120-130 liras.
Those who say that they will not bow down to the inflation-based contract are currently crushing the thousands of metal workers, their families, and millions of other people to inflation. The 7.49 percent increase almost evaporates due to the 20 percent income tax and the upcoming 27 percent, along with an increase in living costs will be impossible to feel.

The depression created by the economic crisis and pandemic downsized the pockets of the workers, bosses continue on their path of adding profit on top of profit. While production increases in factories, coronavirus cases also continue to increase. The “Wuhan” of the factories, previously considered as Vestel, nowadays has a new candidate in BMC (British Motor Company).

In the tests conducted after the 10 day break, the number of cases before returning to the factory reached 200. Including the other contacts, the number is said to be at least 600.

Turkish Metal Union İzmir Branch President previously said that there were no cases in BMC, in fact, he said that the number of cases in factories was around 12. What will he say to the tests made in a factory of 3000 workers after 10 days? Again, will say that there is no case, no quarantine? It is worth mentioning that due to the increasing corona cases, the factory management has once again turned to short-term working. Mr. President. However, it does not cover every section. Intensive production sections –despite having the highest number of workers– is not included. The wheel of production will continue production and the workers will be left to die. Despite saying that inflation should not crush workers, Turkish Metal is allowing workers to crush under it and leaving them to die.