United Public-Is Reaction to the Tragic Losses: "Let Our Volunteers and Laborers Not Be Victims of Meritlessness and Negligence!"

Ankara - The deaths of three citizens in a water tanker that rolled into a cliff on its way from Bolu to intervene in forest fires in Bursa's Gürsu and Kestel districts has left the whole of Turkey in mourning. In a statement released after the tragic incident, the United Public Workers' Confederation pointed out that a new link in the chain of meritlessness and negligence in public administration has emerged. The Confederation emphasized that urgent steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the volunteers and forest workers who lost their lives.

Bitter Balance Sheets in the Fight Against Fires: The Bill of Meritlessness

The deaths of volunteers and forestry workers in the forest fire in Eskişehir in recent days caused a great public outcry. In a written statement, the Central Executive Board of the United Public-Is Confederation stated that these tragic events are no coincidence and are the result of a deepening series of meritlessness and negligence in public administration.

It was stated that the failures in the fight against fires are not only due to individual mistakes, but also point to systemic problems. While it was pointed out that volunteer citizens are trying to protect forests, nature and people by struggling with their lives all over the country, it was emphasized that it is an unacceptable irresponsibility to lose their lives due to lack of necessary measures, lack of organization and coordination.

Request for Merit and Safety in Fire Management

United Public Workers' Union has harshly criticized that citizens pay the price of appointments and unplanned practices made without taking knowledge, experience and merit as basis in fire management with their lives. It was warned that the bill for these negligence will become even heavier as the staffing and management approach far from merit in public administration continues.

The confederation also expressed its urgent solution proposals:

• Security must be ensured for all those acting in a public capacity.

• Staff to fight fires should be created on the basis of merit.

• Mandatory training, orientation and safety protocols for volunteers should be put in place immediately.

These demands reflect the idea that merit and safety should be the basic principle in all public services, not just those fighting fires.

Condolences and Emphasis on the Struggle for Merit

The United Public Workers Confederation expressed its condolences to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in Bursa and to all our people. The confederation once again declared that they will continue their struggle for merit and justice in public administration with determination. This is an indication that trade unions play an active role not only in economic rights, but also in the quality and safety of public services.

The recent tragic events have once again highlighted the need for Turkey to reconsider its strategy for fighting forest fires and the principles of merit in public administration.