09.02.2026 13:52
1886 workers employed by Buca Municipality have initiated a strike due to the non-payment of their wages. The workers state that their living conditions have become difficult and demand that their requests be met. Değer Yıldız, the President of the General-İş Union İzmir Branch 6, said, "Workers cannot bring bread home. They all have a mountain of debt, and they are all facing foreclosure. Because you say 'I work at Buca Municipality' today, the people of Buca or the landlords in Buca no longer want to rent to you. They should urgently convene the council."
1886 workers employed by Buca Municipality started a strike action on the grounds that their receivables, such as overtime pay and fringe benefits, were not paid.
"IF THERE IS NO BREAD FOR US, THERE IS NO PEACE FOR YOU"
The workers gathered in front of the municipality chanted slogans like "We will not die of hunger, we will not turn back from this path," and "If there is no bread for us, there is no peace for you."
"PROMISES WERE NOT FULFILLED"
Değer Yıldız, the President of the General-İş Union İzmir Branch No. 6, told reporters that the municipality management had previously asked the union for time, and they had given sufficient time. Stating that the promises made were not fulfilled, Yıldız expressed that they started the strike action as of today.
"WORKERS CANNOT TAKE BREAD HOME"
Yıldız stated that the workers could not find money for transportation while coming to work and going home, saying, "Workers cannot take bread home. They all have a lot of debts, all are under foreclosure. Expecting a worker to work where their receivables are not paid is nothing but a mental block. We are already experiencing difficulties and are saddened because we are disrupting the service we provide to the people of Buca. Our only concern is that the workers' receivables are paid on time."
"THEY SHOULD CONVENE THE ASSEMBLY URGENTLY, THEY SHOULD COME TOGETHER"
Yıldız explained that the amount owed to each worker is around 60-70 thousand lira, and concluded his remarks as follows: "This amount may seem small to some, but it is a reason for living for the workers here. Most cannot pay their rent. Today, because you say 'I work at Buca Municipality,' the people of Buca or the landlords in Buca no longer give you a house. Supermarkets no longer give you any goods on credit; this is our situation. They should convene the assembly urgently, they should come together. They should hold the necessary discussions regarding the credit."