Miner's payroll became foreign currency in hands

The actions of public workers waiting for the third raise offer from the government continue. The actions held in front of the AKP provincial buildings throughout the country yesterday were carried out in Zonguldak upon the call of the General Mining Workers Union (GMİS). The miners who left coffins at the Miner's Monument in front of the AKP provincial building marched with the slogans "Don't be surprised by the lightning, don't test our patience". Reading the joint statement, GMİS Deputy Chairman İsa Mutlu said, "We don't want charity, we want our rights, we don't want treats, we want the reward of our labor! We don't want misery, we want an honorable life! And let it not be forgotten: We are workers, laborers, we are right, we will win! We will win by resisting!"

The underground and surface mine workers who came to the protest after work carried their pay slips in foreign currency. Yunus Emre, 19, who works as an surface worker, says, “I have been working for seven months. We are waiting for support now, we are waiting for a raise. We are worried about the future. We will get married tomorrow. How can we buy a house, a car? With inflation, even if they give a raise, it is as if we are getting the same salary. We want a living wage.”

Vural Saraç, who has been an underground worker since 2009, also stated that they have been stalling for months: “There was an expectation of at least 20 percent. But the offer made was a mockery. They said they would give workers a raise based on the estimated inflation figure. But despite the constant deviation of the estimates, they did not make any arrangements. We are workers who produce, we have not used the power we get from production yet. I used to buy three loaves of bread, but today I buy two. Worker brothers, let's unite. We will only win if we unite. Do not accept slave wages. The worker who produces should be rewarded for his labor.”

Sarper Karakaya, who has been working as an underground miner for 9 years, says that the conditions underground are both psychologically and physically challenging. Karakaya said, “A 16 percent raise is imposed on the worker. That is why we are in the squares. We demand at least a 50-60 percent raise. The more workers unite, the stronger they are. These actions will continue to increase.”