Turkish Paperworkers Hold Firm on Government’s Plant Shutdown

The 700 striking workers that occupy the Turkish Cellulose and Paper Factories (SEKA) in Izmit, Turkey, also faced a police invasion. At the plant, where ICEM affiliate Selülöz-Is, with the overwhelming support of the local community, is engaged in a struggle against impending privatisation, police tried to force their way into the factory late last week. A number of people, including family members of the workers, were wounded during the operation which led to a stand off between the union members, together with 5,000 union supporters, on the one hand, and the police on the other.