13.05.2026 16:50
On the 12th anniversary of the Soma Mine Disaster, members of the Independent Mine Workers' Union marched to the Miner's Monument, remembering the 301 miners who lost their lives. In the statements made, calls for justice stood out, while harsh criticisms were voiced regarding workers' rights, union struggles, and working conditions. Union representatives emphasized that the working class must unite and called for expanding the labor struggle.
Members of the Independent Mine-İş Union held a march on the 12th anniversary of the Soma Mine Disaster to commemorate the 301 miners who lost their lives. During the statements made in front of the Miner Monument, workers' rights, union struggles, and legal processes were brought to the agenda.
Members of the Independent Mine Workers' Union gathered at Cengiz Topel Square and marched to the Miner Monument. In the statements made here, it was emphasized that justice has not been achieved in the 12 years since the disaster.
“THIS SYSTEM KILLED THE 301”
Independent Mine-İş General President Gökay Çakır argued that the working class has been silenced by pressure and fear for years, saying, “As long as the oppressed do not become the oppressors, these 301 deaths will continue.” Çakır claimed that workers are being threatened, stating, “If you scare workers with the district governor, the mayor, or the unionist, what will that worker do? We will not abandon the worker to this system.” Criticizing yellow unions, Çakır said that not only the employers but also the union structures of the time bore responsibility for the Soma disaster.
“WE BURIED JUSTICE IN THE GROUND”
İsmail Çolak, President of the Soma 301 Miners Social Assistance Association, stated that the search for justice following the disaster has been fruitless. Çolak said, “We buried justice in the ground along with the 301 laborers because we no longer have faith in justice in this country.” Also greeting Can Atalay and Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Çolak criticized the fact that those responsible for the disaster have not yet been punished.
“THERE IS A SEPARATE JUDICIARY FOR BOSSES”
Başaran Aksu, Independent Mine-İş Organization Specialist, argued that deterrent judicial rulings in favor of workers are not made in Turkey. Aksu stated, “There is a separate judiciary for bosses and a separate one for holding owners. The judiciary is afraid of the powerful.”
Criticizing economic conditions as well, Aksu noted that laborers are experiencing financial difficulties and claimed that current economic policies are causing the impoverishment of society.
REACTION TO TÜRK-İŞ AND MADEN-İŞ
During the statements, Türk-İş President Ergün Atalay and Turkey Mine-İş Union General President Nurettin Akçul were also targeted. Independent Mine-İş representatives argued that necessary steps were not taken before the Soma disaster and harshly criticized the union administrations of the time.
At the end of the program, a miner on behalf of Doruk Maden workers, EMEP Deputy General President Selma Gürkan, and DEM Party İzmir Deputy İbrahim Akın also made speeches. The statements emphasized workers' rights and calls for struggle.