The explosion in HABAŞ is on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly: A parliamentary question from the YENİ Party to 10 ministries

Discussions on worker health and occupational safety continue after the explosion and fire at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in Aliağa district of Izmir.

NEW Party Sivas Deputy Ulaş Karasu stated that the occupational murders in HABAŞ facilities cannot be considered as isolated incidents and brought the issue to the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Karasu prepared a parliamentary question to 10 different ministries in order to investigate all aspects of the events.

10 SEPARATE QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTRY

In Karasu's parliamentary questions, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security was asked about occupational safety inspections, subcontractor system and employer responsibilities.

Questions were asked to the Ministry of Justice regarding judicial investigations and past cases, to the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding business licenses and local government inspections, and to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change regarding environmental permits and risks of major industrial accidents.

Information was requested from the Ministry of Industry and Technology about investment incentives and technical security investments, and from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance about public resources provided to the company.

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was asked about the safety of natural gas and energy infrastructure, the Ministry of Health was asked about the treatment processes and emergency response capacity of the injured, the Ministry of Family and Social Services was asked about the support for victim families, and the Ministry of Commerce was asked about the legal status of the company management and trade registry records.

REMINDED ISG DATA

Karasu also drew attention to the data of the Occupational Health and Safety Council (İSİG).

According to ISIG data, at least 2,105 workers died while working in 2025 and at least 1,930 workers died in the first 10 months of 2026.

Stating that the data showing that a total of 19 workers lost their lives in three separate incidents that occurred in HABAŞ facilities in the last 19 days should be investigated, Karasu asked for an explanation as to why lessons were not learned from past workplace murders.

“18.27 BILLION TL PUBLIC SUPPORT”

Karasu reminded that in HABAŞ's 2025 Sustainability Report, the total of public tax deductions, loans and incentives was announced as 18.27 billion TL.

Pointing out that in the same report, lost-time work accidents increased to 229 and accidents involving subcontractor employees increased to 83 in 2025, Karasu said that the occupational safety performance of companies benefiting from public support should also be inspected.

“IF THERE IS SUPPORT, THERE SHOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBILITY”

Arguing that incentives should be tied to worker health and safety criteria, Karasu said, "The government's duty is not only to give incentives to investors and increase production and exports. The government's first duty is to protect human life."

Karasu said:

"While billions of lira of public support is provided to a company, it should also be explained what inspections are carried out to protect the lives of the workers working in that company. It is of course necessary to launch an investigation after the workers lose their lives. However, the real question that needs to be asked is what precautions were taken before these people died and why no lessons were learned from past workplace murders."

“WORKER'S LIFE SAFETY IS NOT A COST ITEM”

Karasu stated that the problem is not limited to HABAŞ and said that all iron and steel factories in Turkey and industrial facilities in the very dangerous class should be inspected.

Karasu, who wants to eliminate the risks created by the subcontracting system and strengthen the employer's responsibility, said: "The safety of the worker's life is not a cost item. Human life is not more valuable than the profit account of any company. It is the duty of the state to prevent occupational murders."