Turkish Cabinet postpones glass factory workers’ strike for ‘disrupting national security’

The Turkish government has postponed the strike organized by the workers of the Şişecam glass factory on the grounds that it has disrupted “public health and national security.”

Around 5,800 workers in 10 factories have been holding a strike since June 23, demanding an increase in their salary, among other improvements in their rights. The company has said it was only ready to make half of the 23 percent wage increase demanded by the workers and members of the Kristal-İş union.
The Cabinet meeting’s decision published in the Official Gazette on June 27, has requested the postponement of the strike for 60 days.

“The Cabinet meeting on June 25, 2014, has decided to postpone the strike organized by the Kristal-İş union at some of the factories connected to Şişecam for 60 days … as it is considered disruptive of public health and national security,” the decision read.

The decision comes as the workers had decided to continue the strike following the first talks between union members and company officials.

It also comes as labor rights have been in focus since the mining disaster in Soma that claimed the lives of 301 workers, mostly paid minimum wage.