CHP Şanlıurfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal evaluates the food poisoning of 350 workers: 'There is no salvation for the Ministry or the workplace'

Kemal Arda Ayvalıoğlu - 12punto.com.tr

CHP Şanlıurfa Deputy Tanal alleged that the poisoning incident was caused by food made from spoiled meat. Reacting to the fact that the relevant authorities have not made any statement regarding the matter, Tanal asked, "Are the lives of nearly 350 workers worth nothing?"  

Tanal, in a post on his social media account, used the following expressions:

“THEY POISONED THE WORKERS AT THE TİGEM Ceylanpınar FACILITY!”

“For days, we have been issuing warnings that at the TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, workers were being served unhealthy and insufficient food. Unfortunately, the worst has happened!” At the TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility, nearly 350 workers who ate the lunch served the day before were poisoned," he said.

"IT IS CLAIMED THAT 8 WORKERS ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION"

"Due to the severe poisoning, workers were transferred not only to Ceylanpınar State Hospital but also to Viranşehir, hospitals in central Şanlıurfa, and surrounding provinces such as Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, and Adana. There are patients in intensive care due to the poisoning. It is claimed that 8 workers are in critical condition. It is even alleged that some are experiencing kidney failure. Currently, there are 31 patients hospitalized at Ceylanpınar State Hospital alone. It is alleged that the poisoning incident was caused by food made from spoiled meat. It is even claimed that this spoiled meat was sold to the market at a low price and sold to certain companies," he stated.

"WHY ARE THEY SILENT?"

"While this grave incident is taking place, neither the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry nor Neither TİGEM nor the Şanlıurfa Governor's Office has made any statement. Why are they silent? What are they trying to cover up? The TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility, which makes life miserable for the shepherds it employs when 3 sheep are attacked by wolves, TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility, does not bother to provide any information. Is the life of nearly 350 workers worth nothing at all? This poisoning situation, which occurred as a result of the food eaten at the workplace, is clearly within the scope of a work accident. It is due to the fact that the institutions responsible for food inspection are not performing their duties with due diligence. At the TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility, the workers' right to life has been violated. We demand an immediate explanation! We demand that a judicial and administrative investigation be launched immediately! Meanwhile, Necessary measures must be taken by the TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility management to ensure that samples of the food products that caused the poisoning are not altered and that evidence is not tampered with. Sensitivity must be shown against the possibility of resorting to such deception, and an effective investigation must be conducted accordingly. Previous food poisoning incidents at the TİGEM Ceylanpınar facility must also be investigated," he stated.

Making exclusive statements to 12Punto, Mahmut Tanal said the following: 

'There is no possibility of salvation for the Ministry or the managers regarding what has happened'

“The citizens' right to life is in danger here. Since the incident occurred during working hours, it qualifies as a workplace accident, and compensation must be paid to the citizens.

For all aspects of this incident, both the Ministry of Agriculture  and the Ministry of Forestry, as well as the workplace, are responsible.  

Neither the Ministry nor the workplace managers have any way to escape responsibility for what has happened. 

I held a press conference on Tuesday in parliament regarding the inadequacy of the meals provided to the workers. If what I said at that press conference had been taken into account, these events would not have occurred." he said.