Chair of Progressive Construction Workers Union Özgür Karabulut Arrested

* Photograph: Dev Yapı-İş / Twitter

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Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Progressive Construction Workers Union (Dev Yapı-İş) Chairperson Özgür Karabulut was arrested today (October 5).

Karabulut was detained in front of the DİSK Central Office yesterday (October 4) and it was announced that Karabulut would appear before the judge in Gaziosmanpaşa Courthouse today.

CLICK - 6 More Airport Workers Arrested

The Gaziosmanpaşa 1st Penal Court of Peace ruled that Karabulut shall be arrested on charges of "resisting the fulfillment of duty", "violating the freedom of work and labor", "damaging public property" and "attending meetings and marches with weapons etc."

Speaking to bianet about the arrest of his client Özgür Karabulut, attorney Necdet Okcan stated that Karabulut was arrested on four charges although the sole evidence against him was the statement that he made to the workers at the construction site of the 3rd Airport in İstanbul. Okcan also added that they would object to the verdict of arrest.

Okcan said, "There is a condition of 'using force or threat' in the charge of violating the freedom of work and labor; however, it is not the case for Karabulut. There is no evidence against him except for his speech. They press the charges as a filling. You see the unlawfulness here. Normally, it is not possible to give a verdict of arrest in such a case file."

In his statement of defence at the Gaziosmanpaşa 1st Penal Court of Peace, Özgür Karabulut denied all the charges pressed against him.

What happened?

On September 12, 2018, in the construction of the 3rd Airport in İstanbul, where almost 36 thousand workers have been working, a shuttle vehicle had an accident, which injured 17 workers.

In the wake of this accident, workers stopped working in the construction due to bad working conditions and occupational homicides.

On September 14, 401 workers were taken into custody. 275 of these workers were released on September 16. 83 workers were also gradually released. 28 of the remaining 43 workers were referred to court with a request for their arrest. 33 workers have been arrested so far.

The demands of the workers are:

-The workers who joined the protest won't be fired.

-Those who were fired without being informed will be reinstated.

-Shuttle problem will be solved.

-Full wage will be put into bank account, it will not be paid in person.

-Workers and foremen will eat at the same dining hall.

-The İGA officials responsible for the problems will be discharged.

-Demands will be read out in front of the press.

-Occupational homicides will be resolved.

-Bonus will be paid in bairams.

-Workers will be given working clothes.

-Salary of workers who haven't been paid for 6 months will be paid.

(BK/SD)