Miners Protest Unpaid Wages Outside Yıldızlar SSS Holding Headquarters

Miners employed by Doruk Madencilik in Eskişehir have launched a sit-in protest outside the Ankara headquarters of Yıldızlar SSS Holding, demanding payment of their overdue wages. The workers, members of the Turkish Mine Workers' Union (Türk Maden-İş), claim that despite official assurances from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, their payments have not been processed.

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Today, the reason we gathered here is clear. As expected, the same company, the same problem. About 1.5 months ago, our march to Ankara was blocked by security forces due to the G20 Summit. The negotiations held with the company officials, mediated by the Ministry of Labor and Energy, promised that the severance pay for approximately 580 people would be paid on July 23. But today is the 27th. As of today, no payment has been made. Today, we decided to gather here again with our friends. We inform all the public that we will not leave here until these amounts we are owed are deposited into our accounts, 24/7.

Talih Kocabıyık, the Middle Anatolian Branch Chairman of the union, addressed the situation, stating that a previous agreement for severance pay for approximately 580 individuals was set for July 23. However, as of July 27, no payments had been made. He declared that the workers would remain at the holding's premises 24/7 until their financial claims are met, emphasizing their long-standing patience and the impact on their families.

Kocabıyık also pointed out that similar problems plague all businesses operating under the Yıldızlar Holding umbrella. He appealed to government officials to intervene and resolve the issue, stressing that promises made at the ministerial level must be honored. He noted that the protest is not desired by the workers or the authorities but is a necessary step to secure their rightful earnings.

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This is why I say this: Yes, many grievances are being experienced. No official is authorized to nullify the promises made by our state and our ministers. If a promise is made, everyone at the table is obliged to put their hand under the stone. We are not happy to be here with so many friends. Neither are the security forces, nor are you. Fulfill the promise you made. You have made promises for years. Always lies, always lies. But now the knife has reached the bone. There is no leaving here without getting this money.

The article references a past protest by workers at Doruk Madencilik's Soma facility, who also marched to Ankara for unpaid wages. Their demands were eventually met after a prolonged period of resistance. The current protest highlights ongoing labor disputes within the company group.

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I invite all the aggrieved parties working within the Yıldızlar Holding to come here.