The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TURK-IS) went on strike on Thursday, in order to protest against work-related deaths and subcontracting practices, following the deadliest mining incident in Turkey's history.
At least 282 miners died after a fire erupted on Tuesday in a coal mine in Soma, in western Turkey, energy minister Taner Yildiz said Thursday morning. He added that the death toll may very well rise in the coming hours.
“The TURK-IS Executive Board decided to exercise their right to stop work for one day following the Soma tragedy”, the union said on Wednesday in order to protest againt workplace incidents which it calls "murders." The TURK-IS members are also striking against the excessive use of "subcontract work."
The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions, created in 1952, is one of the four biggest trade unions in Turkey, claiming a total of 1.75 million members.
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