Revolt after the death of 19 workers in HABAŞ: Workers blocked the factory road!
Workers started a protest after the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in Aliağa, Izmir, in which 19 workers lost their lives.
Quick Look
- Four days after the explosion in the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in Aliağa, Izmir, in which 19 workers died, workers started a protest.
- Workers, who demanded paid leave until life safety and independent inspections were completed, reacted to being called to production.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
19 workers lost their lives in the explosion at the HABAŞ factory in Aliağa, Izmir. According to İSİG data, at least 45 workers have died in the facility since 1999.
Just four days after the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in Aliağa district of Izmir, where 19 workers lost their lives, workers working in the factory started to protest.
The workers, who closed the main road leading to the factory to traffic, demanded that their life safety be ensured and that they be put on paid leave until independent inspections are completed. Workers announced that they would continue their protests until their demands are met.
'19 WORKERS DIE, THEY ARE STILL CALLING FOR PRODUCTION!'
Making a statement during the action, Aegean Business Union Spokesperson Yücel Memiş claimed that the working conditions in the factory and the pressure on the workers continued after the explosion.
Memiş said, "I am calling out to all unions, unions, laborers and workers. This is the HABAŞ factory where 19 of our workers were murdered. It has only been four days since the explosion. Now, an attempt has been made to confiscate the phones of our workers who entered the factory to work. How long will the pressure of those who are still calling the workers to production in the factory where 19 people were murdered and trying to confiscate their phones so that the workers do not hear their voices continue?" he said.
'WHERE WERE YOU UNTIL 19 PEOPLE DID?'
Stating that there was no adequate explanation given to the workers after the explosion, Memiş reacted to the factory management and officials.
Memiş said, "HABAŞ workers are asking: What happened here? Neither the state officials nor the factory management are making a statement. Now they are trying to take occupational safety measures in certain departments. Where were you until 19 people died? Workers are asking, 'Where will we be caught in the ambush of mass death when we enter the same production?'"
Memiş listed the workers' demands as follows:
"Workers should be put on paid leave until the inspections are completely completed. Independent organizations should be involved in the inspections. HABAŞ workers want to live humanely. The lives of workers should not be so cheap and worthless."
AT LEAST 45 WORKERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN HABAŞ IN 27 YEARS
The latest disaster in HABAŞ brought the past worker deaths in the enterprises back to the agenda.
According to the data published by the Occupational Health and Safety (İSİG) Assembly on November 12, at least 45 workers have lost their lives in HABAŞ enterprises since 1999. It was stated that two workers lost their lives in the one-month period before the last explosion.
11 BILLION LIRA PROFIT IN THREE YEARS, DOZENS OF WORKER DEATHS!
The earnings figures announced by HABAŞ, where worker deaths occurred, also attracted attention. According to the data of the Revenue Administration, the company's total net earnings in the 2023-2025 period exceeded 11.1 billion lira.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Workers will continue their protests until their demands are met
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What is the exact cause of the explosion?
- Has legal action been taken against the factory management?
