İSTANBUL - Food- Trade Union President Seyit Aslan who reacted to the government who took some precautions against the coronavirus in public sector but only gave advices to the private sector, leaving the initiative to them, said the workers have a right to stop production if necessary measures are not taken.

 

The coronavirus (Kovid-19), which originated in Wuhan, China, has spread to more than 120 countries worldwide. While the number of people who lost their lives due to the epidemic reached 6 thousand, the number of those who got ill exceeded 150 thousand. The World Health Organization has therefore announced that the epicenter of the spread of the virus is now Europe, not China.

 

While strict measures are being taken against the epidemic Europe- wide, there are great concerns about the factories, workshops and crowded workplaces in Turkey. Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) Member of the Board of Executives and Food- Trade Union President Seyit Aslan explained the risks workers are facing, and told about the possible precautions could be taken in the work places.

 

'THEY MERELY GAVE ADVICES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR'

 

Aslan, stating that the world and Turkey are late to take precautions against the virus, said Turkey only took precautions for the public sector and did not talk about the precautions that must be taken in the private sector.

 

Aslan reacting to the fact that the initiative is being left to the private sector that is adviced to comply witht he decision made by the Council of Ministers, said: "They closed the public schools but did not say anything on private schools and day care centers. Following the ministry's announce on the parents of children younger than 12 being on leave of absence with pay, some municipalities made a statement regarding the issue while other public sector institutions haven't. All decisions taken must be processed without discriminating between private and public sectors.

 

Aslan stated that DİSK has repeatedly stated that there are officially 13 million workers in factories which is 20 million if you count the unregistered workers, and that they are working in unhealthy conditions.

 

Aslan underlining that more rigorous measures should be taken due to the coronavirus, said: "We determined that the measures taken in Turkey is handing out masks and latex gloves, letting the workers out for air every two hours and giving them time to wash their hands frequently. It is obvious that there is not enough precautions taken at the factories for coronavirus or any other reasons."

 

'WORKERS HAS A RIGHT TO STOP PRODUCTION'

 

Aslan stating that necessarry precautions could be taken in every factory, said: "If a worker who is paid their salary late has a right to strike, so does the worker whose right to a healthy workplace violated. It is even more important right now with the outbreak. So the workers must have a right to strike if the healthy workplace isn't provided."