Istanbul municipal workers held a large protest due to unpaid wages, defying a ban by authorities. This action occurred amidst a backdrop of increasing social unrest in Turkey, with wildcat strikes preceding a planned national physician strike. The workers, employed by various municipalities within Istanbul, are demanding immediate payment of their back wages, reflecting broader economic grievances related to inflation and deteriorating living conditions. The attempted ban and subsequent protest highlight growing tensions between workers and the government. The article suggests this unrest reflects a broader crisis of Turkish capitalism, fueled by soaring inflation and the government’s austerity measures, which are impacting the working class and broader population. The situation underscores a widening gap between the ruling class and the working class, leading to increasing social and political instability, as evidenced by the willingness to defy protest bans and take strike action.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/13/nwjl-m13.html