TKP protests workplace accidents: Are we a colony for bosses?

Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) youth organizations held a press statement on Sakarya Street to protest workplace accidents and deaths involving intern students in Vocational Training Centers (MESEM). Calling for the resignation of Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, the TKP members criticized the education system and stated that the lives of young people are being disregarded for the sake of the interests of bosses.

'WE ARE LOSING OUR LIVES IN WORKPLACES'

A 17-year-old vocational high school student explained the reason for choosing a vocational high school and their experiences during the internship process with these words: “I thought if I couldn't afford university, at least I would have a profession. In Turkey, going to school is only easy for the rich. For us, life consists of a struggle for survival. That's why it made more sense to attend a vocational high school. However, in MESEM, my friends go to the workplace more than to school, and those who get rich off our labor don't even care about us. Even if we die in the workplaces, others come to replace us. When we try to speak up, we are threatened.”

'THE GREATEST GIFT TO THE CAPITALIST CLASS'

Umut Araz, who made the press statement on behalf of the TKP youth organizations, stated that nine MESEM students lost their lives in workplace accidents during the 2023-2024 academic year. Stating, “Every week in Turkey, we receive news of the deaths of vocational high school students and MESEM students,” Araz expressed that the education system is organized for the interests of holdings and that young people are being trained as cheap labor. Describing MESEM as the greatest gift offered by the AKP to the capitalist class, Araz said, “If you are handing over education to bosses, if you are opening schools to religious sects, if the youth of this country are losing their lives in workplaces, we ask; are we a colony for bosses?”