This week was the first anniversary of the Soma mine disaster in western Turkey where 301 workers were killed when there was a major underground explosion and fire (see images). The disaster was a result of continual cost cutting by the company that resulted in unsafe working conditions. While some compensation was paid, the trial of those responsible for the disaster has just started. The union federation DISK held a major demonstration to remember the dead and fight for the living. In an incident that sums up the stance of the government, a miner who was assaulted and injured by an aide to Prime Minister Erdoğan was this week fined for damaging a car of the Prime Minister’s convoy.
This week was the first anniversary of the Soma mine disaster in western Turkey where 301 workers were killed when there was a major underground explosion and fire (see images). The disaster was a result of continual cost cutting by the company that resulted in unsafe working conditions. While some compensation was paid, the trial of those responsible for the disaster has just started. The union federation DISK held a major demonstration to remember the dead and fight for the living. In an incident that sums up the stance of the government, a miner who was assaulted and injured by an aide to Prime Minister Erdoğan was this week fined for damaging a car of the Prime Minister’s convoy.
