60 Migros workers detained: ‘Protests will continue’

12punto.com.tr Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU

Migros workers, whose demands include a 50 percent net wage increase, full payment of bank promotions to workers, taxes to be paid by the employer, and permanent staff status for all Migros subcontractors without discrimination or conditions, held their 3rd protest in front of boss Tuncay Özilhan’s house on February 6 (today) at 15:00, on the 15th day of their resistance.

‘WE ARE COMING AGAIN, ÖZİLHAN’

Led by DGD-SEN, Migros warehouse workers voiced their demands in front of boss Tuncay Özilhan’s villa in Beykoz for the 3rd time. The protest call made by DGD-SEN on the X platform, titled “Either an honorable compromise or an uncompromising resistance: We are coming again, Özilhan,” received significant attention. In addition to the workers, students also supported the protest.

‘THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS UNLAWFUL’

DGD-SEN lawyer Mürsel Ünder spoke to 12punto regarding the developments. Regarding the detention process, Ünder said, “First of all, the entire process carried out by law enforcement regarding the detention is unlawful. It is a problem in itself that a democratic demand for rights is portrayed as a criminal act and an attempt is made to include it under the scope of Law No. 2911. The fact that the District Governor’s decision was made in such an arbitrary manner, to the extent of banning the area in front of the bosses’ houses, is another major legal absurdity. Apart from that, there was mistreatment by law enforcement during the detention and subsequent health checks and transport to the police station. During the initial detention, there was handcuffing from behind, and frankly, there was swearing and insults; these types of practices occurred.”

‘WE WILL CONTINUE’

Regarding the demands, Ünder stated, “The workers are not giving up on their just and legitimate demands in any way. They will do whatever is necessary for this. They expressed it as follows: ‘Even if you detain us not once, but a hundred thousand times, we will continue.’ For this reason, as you know, the demand for permanent staff status—which is actually a massive problem for subcontracted workers—is currently close to a full solution, although our objections continue, and the wage demands have been partially met. We attach importance to these.”

‘NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING’

Lawyer Ünder emphasized that even if the demands are met, issues such as the dismissal of warehouse workers and the obstruction of union rights still pose a problem: “But in return for these, there are important and pressing issues such as interference with union freedoms and the reinstatement of the 283 people who were fired. We honestly believe that concrete steps will be taken regarding their resolution. Negotiations are ongoing, and there is an attempt to establish a negotiation table on one hand. There is an effort regarding this, but there is no clear situation we can state concretely at the moment. Since it is not clear, the protests are continuing.”

‘UNTIL ALL DEMANDS ARE MET…’

Regarding what kind of protest method DGD-SEN will resort to in the coming days, Ünder said, “After being released from detention, the unionized workers quickly decided to hold a press statement this Sunday, again in front of Özilhan’s house. The call has been made. Until all demands are met, all kinds of protests, demonstrations, and ways of seeking rights will likely be attempted.”