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İETT Workers Protest Unpaid Wages in Pendik
🇹🇷 Turkey /Economy & Trade

İETT Workers Protest Unpaid Wages in Pendik

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Approximately 300 subcontracted workers at an İETT garage in Pendik, Istanbul, are staging a work slowdown protest.
  • The workers have not received their wages for six months after the contract with their employer expired.
  • They demand their overdue payments and compensation, threatening further action if their demands are not met.

Around 300 subcontracted workers at the İETT (Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel Enterprises) garage in Kurtköy, Pendik, have initiated a work slowdown protest. The employees claim they have not been paid for the past six months, following the expiration of their contract with the İETT-affiliated subcontracting firm.

It's been 5-6 months, the promises made to us have never been kept. They said 'this month,' 'next month,' 'we're working on it.' The result has led us here.

— Recep KeskinA worker describing the prolonged period without receiving wages and unfulfilled promises.

The workers expressed their expectation that payments would be made by the firm contracted with İETT. Recep Keskin, one of the affected employees, stated that promises made by the company after its previous contract ended have not been fulfilled. "It's been 5-6 months, the promises made to us have never been kept. They said 'this month,' 'next month,' 'we're working on it.' The result has led us here," Keskin explained. He added that despite assurances, they have not received their rights and are currently in limbo, feeling abandoned.

Let the court be your last resort; we will solve this somehow, we are behind you.

— İETT (as relayed by worker)A past assurance given by İETT to the workers regarding their payment issues.

Another worker, Tuncay Büyükkeskin, recounted that İETT had previously assured them, "Let the court be your last resort; we will solve this somehow, we are behind you." However, the workers feel strung along, with ongoing "discussions" that do not yield concrete results. Büyükkeskin lamented the lack of a clear point of contact, stating that individuals they try to reach deny any involvement. "We are struggling here, there are promises made. Everyone has debts accordingly," he said, explaining that the delay in payments prevents them from performing their duties efficiently.

We are struggling here, there are promises made. Everyone has debts accordingly.

— Tuncay BüyükkeskinA worker explaining the financial hardship and lack of resolution faced by the employees.

The workers are demanding their overdue wages and compensation so they can work with peace of mind and increase productivity. They emphasized that they have not abandoned their jobs but are slowing down their work. "We want to make our voices heard because living with hope is essential," Büyükkeskin stated. The approximately 300 workers have vowed to continue their work slowdown until they receive their payments.

We want to make our voices heard because living with hope is essential.

— Tuncay BüyükkeskinExplaining the motivation behind the protest action.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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