Health workers held a protest in front of the hospital regarding an incident of harassment in the Emergency Surgery Department of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, which was reported to have been ongoing for months in a restroom. The action, organized at the call of the Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) Aksaray Branch, included a demand for an "effective and transparent investigation" from the hospital administration.
Dr. Benan Koyuncu, a board member, also attended the protest on behalf of the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians. Stating that what happened cannot be seen as an isolated incident, Koyuncu said that female health workers face violence, discrimination, and inequality in their working lives.
Koyuncu stated that while it is constantly emphasized that the labor of health workers is vital, this is not reflected in their working conditions. Expressing that female health workers encounter more harassment and inequality, Koyuncu said, "We will follow up on this incident. We want safe working areas."
The statement demanded that the hospital administration initiate the necessary proceedings against those responsible within the framework of regulations and take urgent measures to ensure the privacy of female workers.
The press release further stated that problems regarding restrooms and changing rooms in the hospital must be identified, adding, "Permanent and appropriate physical conditions must be provided. The covering up of reports of harassment and violence must not be allowed; reliable mechanisms must be established where reporting employees are protected, their confidentiality is observed, and they are not subjected to retaliation."
Emphasizing that issues such as workload, nutrition, mental well-being, work environment, and financial problems should also be taken into account, the health workers demanded healthy and secure working conditions worthy of human dignity.
News Source: 12punto
