Istanbul's famous hospital closed its doors, and 200 people were laid off overnight.

Istanbul's famous hospital closed its doors, and 200 people were laid off overnight.

12.11.2025 02:24

Employees of Özel Okmeydanı Hospital, located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, staged a protest, claiming that around 200 workers were laid off on the grounds that the building was not earthquake-resistant and that renovations would be carried out. They asserted that they had not been shown any official document indicating that the building was not earthquake-resistant.

Employees of the Private Okmeydanı Hospital located in the Beyoğlu district were terminated from their jobs on the grounds that the building was not earthquake-resistant and that renovations would be made.

THEY GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL

Employees who learned that the hospital was closed for 2 months under the pretext of 'earthquake renovations' stated that they had not received their salaries for a while, that they were unaware of this decision, and that they felt victimized, gathering in front of the hospital.

Earthquake Protest by Employees of Private Okmeydanı Hospital

While it is claimed that approximately 200 employees were terminated, the employees also alleged that they were not shown any document indicating that the building was not earthquake-resistant.

Earthquake Protest by Employees of Private Okmeydanı Hospital

"EMPLOYEES ARE INFORMED THAT THEY WILL WORK FOR 2 MONTHS WITHOUT PAY"

Kader Güneş Doğdu, who claimed that the announcement was made through the chief physician's office, said, "An announcement is made stating that it is not earthquake-resistant. It is not made officially. Therefore, there will be renovations for 2 months. Employees are informed that they will work for 2 months without pay. Doctors are also taken to the kitchen. It is stated that you will receive your compensation and all your rights. Then all friends are sent outside. Later, we were informed along with all other shift colleagues. But no explanation was made by the management.

Earthquake Protest by Employees of Private Okmeydanı Hospital

"THERE IS NO OFFICIAL DOCUMENT REGARDING THE EARTHQUAKE"

We only heard this from our friends, not from the chief physician. No one from the board of directors has communicated with us. There is no official document. There is also no official document regarding the earthquake. They came from the district health office. They took a look. They said that an inspection would be done today and a report would be prepared for it. They also said they could convey it to us later. Since we did not leave here, an explanation came from the board of directors.

Earthquake Protest by Employees of Private Okmeydanı Hospital

There was a statement saying that if a healthy working environment is provided here, you can continue to work. We do not trust. We are here to claim our rights. We do not intend to work here. It has not been officially determined that it is not earthquake-resistant. This is what we know. They do not have consistent statements," she said.

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