The parliamentary inquiry motion submitted by the CHP to the TBMM to investigate all aspects of the explosion and fire that occurred at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in Aliağa, İzmir, was rejected by the votes of the AKP and MHP.
The TBMM General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Yusuf Beyazıt. Before the deliberations on legislative proposals and business from committees, the group proposals of political parties were addressed.
The CHP Group requested an investigation into the explosion and fire at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory; the determination of occupational health and safety measures, the adequacy of public inspections, the rights of workers and their families, and the necessary precautions to be taken.
Taking the floor on the motion, CHP Secretary General and İzmir Deputy Rıfat Nalbantoğlu stated that what happened at HABAŞ was not the first incident, noting that fatal and injury-causing workplace accidents in Turkey tend to get lost in the news cycle.
Stating that a CHP delegation went to the region following the explosion, Nalbantoğlu expressed that fatal and injury-causing accidents occurred at the facility in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Nalbantoğlu stated that Hakan Doğan lost his life on October 21, 20-year-old Eyüp Eğinli on November 5, and 18 workers on November 9, saying, "In other words, in less than three weeks, we lost 20 of our laborers at the same facilities."
Nalbantoğlu directed questions to the government regarding the frequency and results of inspections. Criticizing the statement by the Minister of Labor and Social Security that no serious problems were detected in previous inspections, Nalbantoğlu said that according to data in the company's sustainability report, accidents leading to lost workdays have increased.
Also criticizing the imposition of a publication ban following the disaster, Nalbantoğlu called for the disclosure of inspection records, the conduct of an independent and transparent investigation, and the investigation of the potential responsibilities of the employer and relevant public officials.
Nalbantoğlu stated, "No production target, no cost calculation, and no profit can be more valuable than a worker's life," and expressed that the CHP would continue to follow the process. Following the deliberations, the CHP's inquiry motion was not accepted.
News Source: 12punto
