The Shadow of Death in Mines: Silicosis and Workplace Accidents Continue to Claim Lives!

Ankara - Turkey's mining sector is reeling from a series of devastating deaths, prompting a heartfelt statement from DİSK/DevMadenSen. The union announced that a miner from Kaltun Mining in Çine, Aydın, is undergoing treatment for silicosis, while another worker in a quarry in Suluova, Amasya, tragically lost his life after being crushed by a work machine.

In a social media post, DİSK/DevMadenSen declared, "We don't want to die from occupational diseases, nor while working!" emphasizing that these deaths are "not fate, not accidents, but murders." This powerful statement once again painfully highlights the severe issues of workplace safety and occupational diseases in the mining industry.

Silicosis Continues to Take Lives

The news that Ahmet Toygar, a miner from Kaltun Mining in Çine, Aydın, is hospitalized with a silicosis diagnosis, serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by dust exposure in mines. Silicosis is a pervasive and insidious occupational disease among miners, causing permanent lung damage and often leading to death.

Not Accidents, But Workplace Murders

In the latest tragedy in Suluova, Amasya, Abidin Gelen, a worker at a quarry, was fatally crushed by a work machine. This incident transcends the classification of a mere "work accident," being deemed a "workplace murder" by the union, pointing to a lack of oversight, insufficient precautions, and violations of occupational safety regulations in mines.

The union has appealed to authorities and employers, advocating for the right to life and healthy working conditions for mine workers. They demand the full implementation of occupational health and safety measures, increased protective actions against occupational diseases, and stricter inspections.

These tragic losses underscore the long road ahead for Turkey in improving workers' rights and workplace safety. The public is demanding accountability for those responsible for these mining deaths and urging that similar tragedies never happen again.