29.04.2026 17:05
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in a statement before the AK Party group meeting, 'Miners will not be victimized. If a mining company does not pay workers' debts, it will not benefit from state incentives.'
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar made statements regarding the process of mine workers who marched to Ankara to seek their rights. Reminding that a purchase guarantee has been given for electricity generated from domestic coal until the end of 2029, Minister Bayraktar explained the conditions for benefiting from these incentives.
Stating that they have used the authority given to the Ministry through the regulation passed in Parliament in favor of the workers, Bayraktar said, "We will not include plants that owe workers or have not completed environmental investments in the incentive program." It was also stated that currently, Doruk Mining company is deprived of this support solely due to its worker debts.
SALARY PAYMENTS ARE THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY
Minister Bayraktar, noting that salaries were paid after 17 days of worker protests, emphasized that this delay was entirely the company's responsibility. Expressing that the company has turned irregular payment into a "habit," Bayraktar reported that the Ministry has been trying to manage the process for a long time and that the company's license count, which was in the hundreds in the past, has now dropped to 92.
IF THE MINE CLOSES, WORKERS WILL SUFFER
Addressing demands for license cancellation, Minister Bayraktar stated that the process is being handled with sensitivity. Arguing that immediately canceling the mining license would not benefit the workers, Bayraktar assessed, "When the mine closes, jobs and employment disappear; workers' receivables will not be collected. Our goal is for the mine to continue operating and for workers not to suffer." Noting that other operators generally pay worker rights, the Minister said, "The first item an enterprise that generates electricity and receives payment must pay is worker salaries."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The resistance launched by Doruk Mining workers for unpaid wages and compensation concluded with a settlement following meetings held at the Ministry of Interior on April 28, 2026. As a result of the meeting between the Independent Mine Workers' Union and ministry officials, an agreement was reached to pay all accumulated wage and compensation rights of the workers. It was announced that the company (Yıldızlar SSS Holding) would make the payments within 15 days.