DİSK's Dual Agenda: Call for Mid-2025 Minimum Wage Hike and Demand for Justice in Hendek Case

Ankara – The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), a leading voice in the Turkish labor movement, has renewed its call for the minimum wage to be re-determined in July 2025 to meet the economic expectations of millions of workers. Simultaneously, DİSK has announced its continued support for the pursuit of justice in the Sakarya Hendek fireworks factory explosion case, which occurred in 2020.

Minimum Wage Must Be Re-Determined in July 2025!

Speaking on behalf of DİSK's Executive Board on June 24, General President Arzu Çerkezoğlu highlighted how the minimum wage is being eroded by high inflation and rising living costs in Turkey, asserting that an mid-year adjustment to wages is imperative. Çerkezoğlu firmly stated, "The minimum wage must be re-determined in July 2025!" DİSK emphasized its commitment to fighting for a living wage that allows millions of workers to live humanely. The confederation pointed out that the decline in purchasing power is increasingly impoverishing workers, rendering the current situation unsustainable. DİSK called upon the government and all relevant parties to address the plight of workers in light of economic realities.

Fight for Justice Continues in Hendek: DİSK Stands with Families

DİSK demonstrated that its union struggle is not limited to economic demands but also includes a resolute stance on occupational health and safety issues. The confederation shared the latest developments regarding the 2020 Sakarya Hendek fireworks factory explosion, which it refers to as a "workplace murder" where 7 workers lost their lives and 127 were injured.

According to a post from DİSK's official social media accounts, the latest hearing of the case was attended by DİSK General Secretary and Dev Maden-Sen General President Tayfun Görgün, along with DİSK Legal Department Director Mazlum Demir, accompanying the affected families. The message shared by DİSK/DevMadenSen stated: "DİSK General Secretary and our General President Tayfun Görgün, along with DİSK Legal Department Director Mazlum Demir, attended the fireworks factory explosion case where 7 workers lost their lives in a #WorkplaceMurder and 127 workers were injured in Sakarya Hendek in 2020, together with the families. #JusticeForHendek"

This participation once again underscored DİSK's zero-tolerance policy against workplace fatalities and its determination to follow legal processes for workers' rights. The confederation signaled that it would continue to stand with the families in their quest for accountability for those responsible for the Hendek tragedy.

With these two crucial agenda items, DİSK demonstrates its broad spectrum of union activism, striving both to improve workers' living standards through economic demands and to follow up on the tragedies experienced in occupational health and safety.