Occupy Action at OMSA Metal Factory: United Metal-Is Visits the Governorate

Workers at the Swedish-owned OMSA Metal factory, who were fired for being members of the Birleşik Metal-İş Union, have moved their 70-day resistance inside the factory. The workers, who started occupation action to return to their jobs and ensure that their union rights are recognized, are trying to make their voices heard.

Resistance Ends 70 Days

At OMSA Metal, located in Kocaeli's Dilovası SME Organized Industrial Zone, 57 workers were allegedly fired due to their union activities. The workers, who have been resisting in front of the factory for 70 days against this situation, entered the factory at 07.30 on Monday morning, September 15, and started an occupation action. The workers expressed their reactions by saying, "We exercised our constitutional right, we were fired! We have been resisting for 69 days, no one has heard our voice!"

Union President Meets with Governor

As the protest grew, Birleşik Metal-İş Union President Özkan Atar met with Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş. During the meeting held at the governor's office, Atar conveyed the union rights violations and unfair dismissals at OMSA Metal workplace. Atar asked the governor's office to play a facilitating role in bringing the employer and the union together to negotiate the issue. The meeting also emphasized that the problem at the workplace is not just a security issue, but a constitutional violation of rights.

Call: "This Struggle belongs to the Working Class of Turkey!"

Birleşik Metal-İş Union, in posts on its social media accounts, stated that the struggle of OMSA Metal workers is the struggle of the entire working class of Turkey. The union called on all "class friends" to support this struggle and showed their determination with the slogans "Long Live Our OMSA Resistance!" and "Long Live Our Honorable Struggle!"