Melek Hotels Moda Workers Protest Unpaid Wages, Citing Widespread Exploitation in Tourism

Employees at Melek Hotels Moda have initiated a protest outside the hotel, demanding payment for wages and compensation that have been outstanding for 13 months. Organized by the Dev Turizm-İş Union, an affiliate of DİSK, the workers chanted slogans such as "Mehmet Ulusoy, give us our rights," "Tourism workers are not slaves," and "No peace for bosses while workers starve."

According to the workers, the hotel, owned by Mehmet Ulusoy, was transferred to a different company. The new ownership allegedly refused to take responsibility for the accumulated debts owed to the employees. Following this transfer, the workers' employment contracts with the hotel were terminated. Şükran Bozkurt, speaking on behalf of the workers, stated that they were "stringed along" by Mehmet Ulusoy for an extended period while facing severe financial hardship, contrasting their struggles with the luxury vacations taken by those responsible.

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We were strung along by Mehmet Ulusoy for a long time while struggling with livelihood issues. Those who made us go through this enjoyed luxury vacations. We will no longer be silent. Our struggle will continue until we receive all our rights.

Gökhan Aslan, General Secretary of Dev Turizm-İş, commented that the situation at Melek Otel in Istanbul is representative of broader issues within the tourism industry. He highlighted that tourism workers commonly face low wages, harsh working conditions, mobbing, irregular employment practices, and widespread denial of their rights. Aslan emphasized that the wealth generated in the sector is built on the "sweat of the workers and their unpaid wages," vowing that the struggle for full payment would continue and that those responsible would not find peace until all dues were settled.

The protest garnered support from various other unions, including EnerjiSen, Birleşik Metal-İş, BTO-Sen, Limter-İş, İnşaat-İş, and İşçi-Sen, as well as political parties and democratic mass organizations, underscoring the widespread concern over labor rights in the tourism sector.

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There is the sweat of the workers and their unpaid wages in this wealth. The struggle will continue until all the workers' rights are paid, and there will be no peace for you while the workers are hungry.