02.05.2025 15:30
The cleaning workers of Beşiktaş Municipality, whose salaries and bonuses have not been paid, went on strike on May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day. Following the strike decision, residents and shopkeepers in some neighborhoods, disturbed by the uncollected garbage, are demanding that municipal authorities urgently resolve the issue.
The cleaning teams of Beşiktaş Municipality have not collected the trash in some neighborhoods, leading to pollution around the containers on the streets and avenues.
Tradespeople and local residents, disturbed by the bad smell spreading through the neighborhood, requested the collection of trash from Beşiktaş Municipality.
Mehmet Akça, an 85-year-old resident of Büyükkuyu Street in Mecidiye Neighborhood, stated that the trash has not been collected for a week.
Akça expressed that the bad smell emanating from the trash piles has increased today, saying, "This has never happened before. Because there used to be 10 garbage collection vehicles coming every day. We don't know what to do. It would be great if they could think of a solution for us. We are tired of this situation."
"EVERYWHERE IS FILTHY"
Koray Çilekçi, an accountant at a business on the same street, noted that everywhere is overflowing with trash.
Çilekçi pointed out that animals, cats, and dogs are spreading the trash around, stating, "Everywhere is filthy. This is our complaint. The only thing we want from the municipality is for the trash to be collected. They haven't been able to do that for several days. The same problem occurred a few months ago. The workers were not working because they hadn't been paid. This is an event that almost repeats every 2-3 months in Beşiktaş."
Çilekçi also mentioned that the nests and scooters prepared for cats are stuck among the trash piles, adding that they cannot even park their vehicles properly.
Expressing that they are very victimized, Çilekçi said, "Instead of saying 'We are with you' during rallies and holidays, the CHP's General Chairman should ensure that the workers are paid. If the workers receive their salaries, they will do their jobs. We won't be left in a difficult situation here."
"I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED THESE MULTIPLE TIMES"
Cenk Karahan, who runs a tire shop in Ortaköy, also expressed his grievances due to the uncollected trash near his workplace.
Karahan explained that this situation is not new, saying, "We are very victimized and complain about this issue from time to time to Beşiktaş Municipality or many municipalities in Istanbul, especially CHP municipalities. I have photographed these multiple times. Unfortunately, we experience these situations frequently despite reporting them."
Karahan conveyed that they believe the trash is in this state because the workers' salaries are not paid regularly, and they expect support from the authorities on this matter.
Karahan stated that the mayors have not listened to the complaints of tradespeople until now, saying, "The only thing they know is to impose fines for the smallest things, for example, if we put a chair or a sofa here. I have not seen any service. We see the services provided in neighborhoods managed by AK Party municipalities. Honestly, we are left in shock."
"THE SMELL IS DISTURBING"
Hasan Budak, who operates a tea house in Ortaköy, also mentioned that the trash piles create an ugly sight.
Budak pointed out that these images do not suit Ortaköy at all, stating, "This situation happened 2 months ago, and now it has accumulated again. The trash has not been collected for 2-3 days. The smell is disturbing."