Miners prevented from marching say: If seeking our rights is a crime, we will commit this crime

The march they started from Soma and Ermenek to Ankara for their unpaid compensation and wages under the leadership of Independent Miners Union stated that they will continue to fight for the rights of miners who are blocked. The miners said, "If seeking rights is a crime, we will commit this crime."

748 workers laid off at Uyar Mining in Soma, have been protesting for a long time because they were denied their compensation. The problems workers are facing have not been solved for 7 years, despite travelling to Ankara several times as a delegation before. The resistance they started for the wages and compensation of the Cenne Mine Workers in Ermenek exceeded 40 days.

“AUTHORITIES MUST GIVE AN EXPLANATION"

Idris Sarikaya, one of the workers who resisted in Soma for the right to compensation, lost two legs in 2007 as a result of a dynamite explosion. He started a legal process in 2008. Sarıkaya said, “We won the case, but could not collect the payment within the the time period. Promises were made to resolve this issue, we went to Parliament in 2015, and given assurance that it would be solved, but it was not resolved. We have been asking for the compensation we have gained legally over the years”.

Sarıkaya said that they started a march to Ankara and stated the following; “We made a statement in front of the District Governorship before the march. However, we were kept waiting there. Attorneys stepped in, meetings were held with the district governor. We wanted to walk up to the cemetery of the 301 martyrs [301 miners died in the mine on May 13, 2014]. We walked to the cemetery without banners and helmets where we were kept under surveillance for about 5 hours in the cemetery. The office of governor stated that it will meet with the Ministry and resolve this issue in an orderly manner. A delegation of 5 people went from Soma to Manisa. It was stated that the issue could be resolved at the table. At the moment we are being held in the martyrs cemetery under the police and gendarmerie surveillance. As Uyar worker we are committed in our struggle. We say we will die but not give up. If we receive statement from the officials that they will commit to resolving this issue then we will end our campaign."

"GIVE US WHAT IS OURS AND WE WILL END THIS"

Ali Kandemir, one of the workers, also lost two of his eyes in the explosion in which İdris Sarıkaya lost his two legs. Kandermir states he does has no sight and uses prosthesis. “I have to renew the prosthesis every 2 years and I pay 2 thousand dollars for it. The state does not meet this cost” he said. He states that he demands what he is entitled to as a worker. Kandemir said, “We do not want much, we want what we are entitled to and compensation for the loss of lost limbs. We want our compensation approved by the court. We just want our rights given by the employer. Why would we want to pile the cops here? Let them give our right and we will end our campaign today. We will not go back on our campaign. We will take what is our right. Despite the obstacles, we will continue. "If asking for our rights is a crime, we will commit this crime," he said.

THERE IS NO WORKER GIVEN SEVERANCE PAY IN ERMENEK'S HISTORY!

Independent Miners Union Organization Expert Kamil Kartal stressed that the compensation of 3,500 workers in Soma was not paid and that’s why they started a march to Ankara on October 5, 2019. “During that time, we were blocked in Kırkağaç and we set up a tent protest which lasted for 33 days. At the time, with the negotiations held in Ankara, the compensation of nearly 3 thousand friends was at a stage of payment. In Ermenek, the mines are in the hands of the Uyar and Özbey families. "Our friends work in two stoves belonging to the Özbeyler family," he said.

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Kartal also stated that 748 workers in Soma were entitled to receive compensation, unpaid wages and payment for unused annual leave. These include compensation for the families of the workers who lost their lives at the workplace during this period.

Kartal also stated that both Ermenek and Manisa governorship promised to hold talks in Ankara. “Now we expect them to fulfil their promises. If it happens, we will go to Ankara as a delegate. If they do not invite us as a delegate, we told the governor's office, district governor and police officials that we will not end our campaign until we receive the compensation which we are entitled to” said Kartal. (EVRENSEL DAILY)