Public Workers Hold 'Stay-in-the-Workplace' Protest: TÜRK-İŞ Leaders and CHP Offer Support Visit

Ankara – In response to the low wage offers presented by TÜHİS during the collective bargaining negotiations covering approximately 600,000 public workers, employees have taken action. In line with a decision by the TÜRK-İŞ and Hak-İş confederations, a "not leaving the workplace after shift ends" protest was carried out at all public workplaces organized by member unions on Monday, July 14, 2025. This determined stance received full support from TÜRK-İŞ General President Ergün ATALAY and his delegation.

Protest Schedule Begins Against Unacceptable Offers

Following the rejection of TÜHİS's offers as "unacceptable" during the public collective bargaining framework protocol process, the confederations decided on a series of protest actions and turned them into a schedule. The first major action in this schedule involved workers not leaving their workplaces after the end of their shifts, continuing their resistance until the morning. This action sent a strong message that workers' demands must be taken seriously and that they must be granted the wage increase they deserve.

Full Support for Workers from TÜRK-İŞ and CHP

To show support for the protesting workers, TÜRK-İŞ General President Ergün ATALAY and TÜRK-İŞ Vice President Ramazan AĞAR met with them. The delegation first visited the TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. Ankara Railway Factory. They then met with workers protesting at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

This important visit was also attended by Gamze TAŞÇIER, the Republican People's Party (CHP) Vice President responsible for the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, demonstrating the opposition's support for the workers' struggle. During the visit, ATALAY and his delegation listened to the workers' demands and then held a joint press conference with them. In the statement, it was emphasized that the workers' rightful demands would be defended to the very end and that the struggle would continue. The visit was immortalized with a commemorative photo.

A Message of Determination in the Struggle

These protests and support visits show that public workers' demands cannot be ignored and that the unions will not back down in this process. The workers underscored their determination to fight for a fair increase in their wages, which are being eroded by inflation and the high cost of living. The unions stated that they will continue their protest schedule until public employees' rights are secured and that they will not hesitate to use their power derived from production.