April 2026
Long live workers’ unity and solidarity
The protest of Turkish miners, after a 200-kilometer march from the city of Eskişehir to Ankara, has entered a new phase with workers’ hunger strike. With the start of the hunger strike and the arrest of the union leader along with 110 workers by the police, these protests have drawn the attention of both domestic and global public opinion.
Coal miners of the company “Doruk Madencilik” have for several months faced non-payment of wages and benefits, as well as serious problems regarding workplace safety. Other demands of the miners—including severance pay, overtime wages, bonuses, and benefits related to different periods of their employment—have also been delayed.
The delay in wages and benefits, along with the neglect of other demands, began in 2016 when the mine was seized by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), and later in 2022 transferred to a private holding. According to the “Independent Mine Workers’ Union,” after this transfer and in continuation of privatization policies, workers faced violations of their rights and layoffs. Privatization policies and the use of different contracting arrangements with holding companies mean that workers do not directly confront the state but rather employers who can easily, and according to their interests, alter labor regulations. In doing so, they have the power to delay wages and benefits, reduce the workforce, and maintain productivity through intensified exploitation and the imposition of further injustices on remaining workers.
Mining is one of the most difficult and dangerous occupations. Due to unsafe working conditions, workers are constantly exposed to accidents, losing their lives or suffering severe injuries and disabilities.
The miners’ protests in Ankara—writing slogans such as “We are hungry” on their bodies—are admirable and deserve support. These protests, through a long march, sit-in in the capital, and hunger strike, have not only drawn attention within Turkish society to this level of cruelty and inequality but have also gained international attention.
While capital globally uses similar economic policies to exploit workers, the movement of Turkish miners in pursuing their demands—challenging both employers and the Turkish government—demonstrates that such struggles, with this level of unity and initiative, offer valuable examples and experiences for other sections of the global working class facing similar inequalities and injustices. In Iran as well, 85% of mines—playing a key and significant role in the country’s economy—are under private holdings. The working conditions of miners in these mines, marked by unsafe environments and extremely low wages, are also very difficult and dangerous. In recent years, many miners have lost their lives due to mine collapses or suffered severe injuries. The most recent tragic incident was the death of 54 workers in the Tarzeh mine in Tabas. After this incident , neither were safety problems addressed nor was the employer prosecuted, and workers were forced to return to work.
During the miners’ march in Turkey, “Basharan Aksu,” one of the main organizers and leaders of the Independent Mine Workers’ Union, was arrested. However, his arrest has not disrupted the movement; rather, his release has become an additional demand alongside others, and the workers continue their struggle with determination until their demands are achieved
We, as part of labor activists, support the just struggle of Turkish miners. We welcome this form of struggle, which carries valuable lessons for the working classes of Turkey and Iran, and declare our solidarity with you.
Long live the unity and solidarity of the working class against capitalism
Campaign in support of Iranian workers
Organizations in solidarity with the labor movement in Iran
