Anagold lays off 27 mine workers
Anagold, the operator of the gold mine in İliç, Erzincan, where 9 workers remain trapped under millions of tons of soil containing cyanide and sulfuric acid, has laid off 27 workers. The company had previously taken a step back in the layoff process following public backlash.
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On March 3, Anagold had dismissed 27 workers, citing the disaster and notifying them that their "contracts would not be renewed."
Later, after the workers and the Independent Mine Workers Union (Bağımsız Maden İş) protested, the company informed the workers that "the decision had been rescinded to be re-evaluated in April."
However, the decision was implemented before April arrived, and the 27 workers were notified of their termination.
Bağımsız Maden İş Organizing Specialist Başaran Aksu announced the decision on his social media account:
"Instead of recovering the 9 miners from underground, the Anagold company is busy firing the miners above ground! They have issued termination notices again to the 27 workers they tried to fire 3 days ago and then backed down from! They feel empowered to humiliate workers so recklessly.
The termination procedures are being carried out by the company's primary responsible party, Turkey Manager Cengiz Demirci, who was released under judicial control.
In a normal investigation, someone who should at least be in custody on the grounds of potential evidence tampering has been designing the environment for 20 days. Our national judiciary!"