Zem Narenciye workers revolt: 'Our rights were usurped, we were thrown out without severance'

Workers employed at the Zem Narenciye greenhouse facility, located in the Yenişehir district of Bursa and operating under Çay Holding, have gathered to share their experiences with the public, claiming that their rights have been usurped.

Zem Narenciye workers stated that they have been subjected to psychological pressure, insults, and mistreatment at the facility where they have worked for a long time. The workers expressed that their wages were paid late, overtime pay was not provided, and their needs for water and food were not met regularly.

ALLEGATION OF BEING FORCED TO DRINK STREAM WATER

In the statement, it was alleged that stream water from Ayaz Village was used as drinking water, which led to workers being poisoned. The workers stated that this situation was just one of many practices that disregarded worker health.

THEY WERE TOLD THE GREENHOUSE WOULD BE SOLD, AND THE WAITING BEGAN

The workers stated that after learning the greenhouse was to be sold, they continued to work in the hope of receiving their outstanding payments. Expressing that they remained silent despite the problems experienced during this process, the workers reported that they objected to the treatment of a colleague at the beginning of July 2025.

According to the allegations, the workers, who were subjected to insults by the employer's representative Kıyasettin Çay, called the gendarmerie to file a complaint. Following this development, it was stated that the workers were dismissed without severance pay under the pretext of 'Code 48'.

“THE ACCUSATION OF ABSENTEEISM DOES NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH”

The workers stated that the bosses of Çay Holding accused them of absenteeism, while in reality, they argued that systematic pressure was applied to force them to quit. They expressed that wages were paid incompletely and irregularly, and that insults and pressure continued during the roll calls held every morning.

The statement noted that they were forced to handle workloads that a single worker could not manage, and that they were insulted when they said it was impossible. The workers emphasized that they worked under harsh conditions and could not quit their jobs because they needed to collect their outstanding wages.

It was noted that after two companies under Çay Holding declared bankruptcy protection (konkordato) in August, the workers' claims were cast into uncertainty. This situation was said to have further exacerbated their grievances.

Zem Narenciye workers announced that the first hearing of the lawsuit regarding their claims has been held and that they are following the process closely. The workers stated that the prolongation of the legal proceedings is also part of the usurpation of their rights.

CALL TO AUTHORITIES

In the statement, a call was made to the authorities, primarily Yenişehir Mayor Ercan Özel, to whom the issue had been previously reported, demanding that the outstanding wages be paid immediately and the grievances be resolved.

Stating that they do not accept the usurpation of the wages and severance pay they earned with their labor to support their children, maintain their households, and sustain their lives, the workers declared, 'We want the fruits of our labor and we want justice.'