Three empires of exploitation rising on the backs of laborers and the politics that drive despair

I am witnessing an exploitation that has been increasingly catching my attention lately.

In a Turkey where balances, perceptions, and habits are changing, people are doing everything they can to exist and survive. We all know this.

The markets known as Turkey's largest, often referred to as the "three-letter chains," continue to grow following the coronavirus pandemic and in connection with the economic crisis.

I will not present a detailed table. The net profit of BİM, one of these markets, increased by 178 percent in 2022, reaching 8 billion 157 million liras. Of course, there is no need to remind you that the exchange rate was not in this state two years ago.

The other is Şok markets, owned by Murat Ülker, a permanent fixture on the Forbes list every year. It also grew by 93 percent in the first 6 months of 2023. It increased its sales revenue to 45.4 billion liras and announced that it had made a net profit of 1.3 billion liras during this period.

The other is A101... According to their own statements, they are among the top 10 fastest-growing retail companies in the world. They have more than 12 thousand branches. They state that they have more than 70 thousand employees.

Even this superficial information reveals that incredible profits are being reached with the burden placed on the backs of laborers.

Let's come to the realities experienced in these markets that would not escape even a child's notice...

Despite their massive assets and profits, they act in concert. They set the price of a product together and raise prices frequently.

Perhaps due to the self-confidence brought by citizens frequently using these types of markets, they have completely abandoned cleanliness.

A general cleanliness problem is noticeable in all of them. A dominant odor can be encountered in some. Negligence is at its peak.

While employees are crushed under heavy conditions, they are forced to work in different areas within the market and receive extremely low salaries.

While very difficult conditions naturally lead to frequent turnover, those who cannot find another way submit to exploitation to feed themselves.

The most terrifying part is that they are constantly reducing the number of employees. A staff member stocking shelves leaves their job to go to the register and start taking payments. Personnel in the produce section may be forced to move to the register.

In short, these trillion-lira structures, which open tens of thousands of stores and feed off the bread of the majority of Turkey's population, are ruining the lives of laborers.

PERSPECTIVE ON POLITICS IN TURKEY

I also want to talk about another reality that has emerged in my own inner world recently. What is happening in Turkey before the local elections...

Opposition politicians, journalists we know as opposition, TVs, websites, and channels we code as opposition... But most importantly, of course, the situation of the main opposition party, the CHP...

If they think the public does not see this drift, this fight for rent and interest, they are mistaken. Seeing that everyone is in an effort to use the power that is the return of politics in line with their own interests lowers the power of struggle. When I evaluate this individually, my anxiety for my country increases. I see and know that I am looking for a way out, accompanied by a small, trembling candlelight, with the feeling of someone left in the dark.

I think we need to start the struggle by reviving the feelings of morality, conscience, rights, justice, and shame.