Turkish PM steps in regarding questions over shipyard deaths

"It was not possible for the Turkish government to remain indifferent to any problem that concerns human life, Erdogan told at the meeting with the representatives of the shipbuilding industry, bureaucrats and representatives of labor unions in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

"Related bodies have carried out the necessary studies on matters concerning their fields of operation. Many sanctions have been imposed. However, we see that the public was not satisfied with the outcome. So, we have convened to discuss the matter in a comprehensive way," he was quoted by the Anatolian Agency as saying.Â

Shipyard workers in Turkey held on Monday a one-day strike to protest working conditions in Tuzla, where 21 workers were killed in accidents in the last nine months. A number of labor unions, non-governmental organizations and intellectuals extended full support to the strike.

A total of 99 workers have died at the shipyard since 1992. The sub-contracting system and noncompliance with the occupational safety regulations in shipyard operations are seen as the major causes of the deaths in Tuzla.

"After diagnosing the problem correctly, we will look for ways for a solution. Discussions will undoubtedly facilitate the solution," Erdogan said.

"We should take the appropriate measures and do what it takes," he said adding that similar problems may be seen anywhere in the world.

He has been criticized for not inviting representatives of the Limter-Is union that has led strikes and highlighted the conditions at Tuzla.

BEYTAS SHIPYARD

The Labor and Social Security Ministry's Istanbul Department decided on Thursday to suspend activities in a shipyard in Tuzla in Istanbul until further notice.

Inspectors of the department examined Beytas Shipyard in Tuzla, and recommended that it should be closed until the dangers threatening the lives of workers were removed. Officials of a related committee decided to suspend the activities of the shipyard.

On June 18, activities of Nur Istanbul Shipyard in Tuzla were also suspended for one month for the same reason.

 

VETO BY SPEAKER

Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan vetoed on Wednesday an initiative of a parliamentary committee --which was set up to inquire about the deaths at Tuzla shipyards-- to start their works with a tour of South Korean and Ukraine shipyard operations.

The committee members decided to go to South Korea and Ukraine to observe conditions at shipyards in these two countries. However, the parliament speaker rejected their request.

There were criticisms that committee members would go on vacation rather than making observations, Milliyet daily reported on Thursday.

Turkey, one of the most promising shipbuilding countries in the world and has the world's fastest growth rate in the sector. Turkey's shipbuilding exports reached $2 billion in 2007 from $1.4 billion a year earlier.

Photo: Burak Akbulut