Gov’t warns firms, vows to safeguard miners’ rights after strike ends

ANKARA

Private mining companies failing to pay workers’ wages or complete required environmental investments will be excluded from state incentive programs, the Turkish energy minister said on April 29, one day after more than 100 miners ended a hunger strike in the capital Ankara.

“We will not include in the incentive program any power plants or mining operations that have outstanding debts to workers or have not completed their environmental investments. Workers will not be left victimized; we are managing the process with great sensitivity,” Alparslan Bayraktar told journalists ahead of the ruling Justice and Development Party parliamentary meeting.

His remarks came after around 100 miners on April 28 ended a nine-day hunger strike in the capital over unpaid wages, following an agreement with their employer. The miners had previously walked approximately 180 kilometers from Eskişehir in central Türkiye to Ankara, demanding payment of overdue wages and severance compensation from Doruk Mining.

As of April 28, an agreement was reached after intervention by government institutions, with assurances that all outstanding entitlements would be paid within 15 days. The labor, energy and interior ministries and the Ankara Police Department acted as guarantors of the deal.

The energy minister also warned Doruk Mining that its license could be revoked, accusing the company of repeatedly causing problems.

“Wherever it operates in Türkiye, it creates problems. It has issues with workers, with service providers. It exhibits a management style we do not want to see. We are intervening, but they have made this a habit,” he said.

He further added: “If it fails to meet its obligations, I will revoke its existing licenses. I will not grant this company any new licenses.”

Earlier, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi also intervened in the case of miners in Ankara, urging the company owner to immediately pay the outstanding salaries during a phone call with the owner.