250 textile workers learned they were fired when they arrived at work: 'Who will look out for us?'

Around 250 workers employed at a textile factory learned they were unemployed at the factory gates. The employees, who arrived at the factory located in Yozgat in the morning hours, were told that the business had 'gone bankrupt.'

The Istanbul-based firm Ritimteks, which has been operating in the Yozgat Organized Industrial Zone since 2014, suddenly ceased operations for reasons that have not been disclosed. The 250 workers employed at the factory were unable to enter when they arrived to start their shift.

THE BOSSES DID NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONES

The workers, who could not find anyone in authority to provide an explanation, were also unable to reach any responsible party when they called the company's headquarters in Istanbul.

According to the workers' claims, a person from the company's human resources department contacted them to say that the firm's operations had stopped and that the bosses could not be reached.

'WE ARE ALWAYS THE ONES BEING VICTIMIZED'

Upon learning they were unemployed at the factory they had gone to for their shift, the workers gathered in front of the factory as soon as they overcame the shock of the event and demanded that an official come to address them. While gendarmerie teams took security measures in the area, no official came to make a statement.

The factory employees, who stated that they were victims, described what they experienced with these words:

'Is this the plight of Yozgat? Similar firms constantly come and flee overnight in the same way. We, the workers, are always the ones being victimized. Who will look out for us, who will help us in terms of receiving our rights? We want them to help us. We cannot find anyone to talk to about our problems. We all have children, some have debts, some have sick relatives. We have been victimized, we want help.'