Turkish Miners Threaten March to Ankara as Unpaid Wages Spark Protests
Hundreds of miners in Turkey are threatening to march to the capital Ankara after their employer failed to pay their salaries, following a similar protest by colleagues at another company.
Workers at Nesko Maden, a company under the Yıldızlar SSS Holding, are protesting unpaid wages. The miners say management has failed to pay them. They warn that if their salaries are not paid soon, they will march to Ankara. This action would follow the example of colleagues at Doruk Madencilik, who recently walked to the capital for the same reason [172214].
Meanwhile, Turkey’s political tensions remain high. Opposition leader Özgür Özel issued a defiant message on Monday, declaring that elected officials will not be forced out of office. “They have their states, water cannons, tear gas, batons, prosecutors, and judges,” Özel said. “But they should never forget: whoever controls the streets will ultimately win” [172208].
The remarks come as the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) faces internal turmoil. The party has expelled nine of its members of parliament. CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır described the move as a “special coup” against him and his colleague Veli Ağbaba [171353]. However, senior party official Müslüm Sarı dismissed calls for change, stating that the resignations are legally not a problem for the party and that an extraordinary party congress is not required [170634].
In a separate development, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense issued a statement regarding the “Status of Forces Agreement” signed between France and the Republic of Cyprus. The ministry declared its determination to give the harshest possible response to any threats against Turkish interests on the island [170651].