Miners protesting unpaid wages face police blockade in Ankara; union claims a holding company is being protected

Miners affiliated with the Independent Miners' Union continue their protest in Ankara, demanding payment of wages and other labor dues. Their demonstration has been met with a police blockade following a ban issued by the Ankara Governorate, which also restricted press access to the workers.

Mahmut Tanal, a Member of Parliament for the Yeni Party, criticized the governorate's decision, calling it arbitrary and not legally sound. He questioned the labeling of the workers' claims as "allegations," especially since, according to Tanal, deputy ministers from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources had previously acted as guarantors for the company's debt payment to the miners on April 28, 2026.

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When did demanding one's rights, making a democratic demand, become a crime? These barricades are erected against the worker, against the press. In fact, these barricades are erected against justice, law, truth, and the revelation of facts.

"When did demanding one's rights, making a democratic demand, become a crime?" Tanal asked, addressing the barricades set up by police. "These barricades are erected against the worker, against the press. In fact, these barricades are erected against justice, law, truth, and the revelation of facts. Who will the miner tell their troubles to? They will tell the journalist, the public. The journalist will report it. Why are they bothered by this?" Tanal attempted to escort journalists to the miners but was blocked by riot police.

Başaran Aksu, an organizational expert for the Independent Miners' Union, echoed Tanal's concerns, stating that the governorate's ban was arbitrarily extended to prevent contact between the press and the miners. "We are absolutely not allowed to contact the public. It's as if the miner is a monstrosity, a leper, a virus, a microbe, that if they contact the public, something bad will happen," Aksu said, implying that the authorities are trying to shield the Yıldızlar Holding, to which the mining company Doruk Madencilik belongs, from public scrutiny.

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We are absolutely not allowed to contact the public. It's as if the miner is a monstrosity, a leper, a virus, a microbe, that if they contact the public, something bad will happen.