Soma resistance is on its 6th day: Are we going to make our children eat stones?

The rights struggle initiated by the workers of İmbat Mining, operating in Manisa's Soma district, demanding payment of their unpaid salaries and accumulated Collective Labor Agreement (TİS) receivables, continues on its 6th day.

While the workers waiting under the gendarmerie blockade in Çamlık location in Kırkağaç district were supported by their families, the Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Maden-İş Union, Şeref Zeyrek, visited them. At the beginning of the new month, it was reported that the company paid advances of up to 25 thousand TL to the workers according to their wages, and the workers reacted by boiling stones in water.

“HEAR OUR VOICE”

The worker who boiled the stone rebelled, saying, "Hungry, thirsty, we will boil stones and make them eat stones, Ankara. Hear our voices! Enough! ... Ankara, we have been here for 6 days. What will I feed my family? Will I make them eat stones? Will we boil stones and make them eat stones here? Hear our voices, that is enough, we have been here for how many days. We stand here regardless of rain, mud or cold. Our children are waiting for us."

Another worker said, "I had a wedding 6 months ago. I haven't even been able to pay my debts yet. We haven't received our salaries. Many of our friends here have debts to banks. I hope this process won't take too long. We expect it to be resolved as soon as possible. Let our government help us. Winter is here now."

Şeref Zeyrek, Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Mining-Workers Union, said, "They did not give us our TIS differences, the new TIS has arrived, we will sit at the table. Our purpose is clear, our goal is clear, we will not stop protesting until we get it. As a union, we are always with you."