Surge of jobless in industrial hubs
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Serkan Arman - Milliyet
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 24, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Predictions of a surge in unemployment come true in the industrial heartlands of Turkey, as thousands of workers lose their jobs every month. The jam-packed teahouses in the Thrace region point toward a time bomb for communities
As the crisis continues to hold the globe hostage, the rapid rise in the number of unemployed in Turkey has become hard to ignore. Jam-packed teahouses draw a clear picture of the severity of the crisis.
Although teahouses represent a unique traditional culture in Turkey, their status has changed from being a place to read books and discuss politics into sanctuaries for the retired and unemployed.
The global turmoil has had a big impact on a substantial proportion of around 400 textile factories operating in Turkey’s Thrace region.
The impact of the deepening crisis has caused 7,200 workers to lose their jobs in Tekirdağ and Kırklareli since Jan. 1. Some 21 factories shut down in Çorlu, while 76 leather factories have suspended production since September last year, delivering a serious blow to the country’s industrial zones. Of the 21 factories shutdown in Çorlu, some 16 were operating in textile and five in leather industry. Out of 136 leather factories located in the town, only 60 continue their operations. The remaining 76 had to suspend production.
"Industrial electricity consumption in the region has dropped 30 percent, which is a very high figure," said Dursun Ali Tever, chairman of the Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"Currently there are 312 textile factories registered with our chamber. There is an awful stagnation and unemployment is the top problem," said Özlem Yemişçi, chairman of the Çorlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "If the situation continues, when unemployment insurance benefits dry up in six months, things will get a whole lot worse. We have decided to establish a crisis center and start visiting our members. Tensions are high and people are seriously demoralized by uncertainties."
Unemployment benefits
Nearly 4,350 people in Tekirdağ, which covers the land including Çorlu and Çerkezköy, have applied to collect unemployment insurance since the beginning of the year, according to the Turkish Employment Organization, or İşkur. The situation is not much different in Kırklareli, which has Lüleburgaz within its borders, where 2,871 people applied to collect unemployment insurance. According to official data, 7,219 people have been unemployed since the beginning of the year. The figure surges drastically when the unregistered jobless are added to the picture. Moreover, layoffs show no sign of slowing down, as nearly 20 companies in Çorlu are expected to fire their workers soon.
While the workers who managed to obtain their severance pay are trying to get by on it, others who were not so lucky are being crushed under bulging debt. Frustration levels rise in the wake of sinking hopes. Those who have nothing better to do than sit around at teahouses said they have been going through serious psychological issues in this climate of uncertainty.
Some 237 workers working at Gök Tekstil, located between Lüleburgaz and Çorlu, face another grievance. Since the company has sent them on unpaid leave, the workers are unable to collect their salaries. Trying to avoid paying for tea, these workers attend union clubs and spend time reading labor laws.
"During unpaid leave, we cannot receive severance pay, unemployment insurance or seek a new job," said İsmail Ölmez, 46, a Gök Tekstil worker. "I am not only unable to pay the loan for my house, I also cannot pay water and electricity bills. I have not been able to send money to my daughter who is studying at university. Our relatives and neighbors feed us. My pockets are empty. I haven’t even been able to adopt to the newly published Turkish Lira, as I barely see one every now and then."
"Gök Tekstil sent me and 237 friends to leave as of the end of January, first with pay and then without pay," said 41-year-old Bülent Kır.
"The fact that we are not dismissed completely ties us down, preventing us from seeking other jobs. As if not receiving severance pay is not enough, we also cannot apply for unemployment insurance because we still appear to be working [officially].
"There are many people like us. The law does not approve of the unpaid leave without the consent of workers. We drew up a record, but employers are always protected. We are swimming in debt. The number of unemployed in the region has already reached 10,000," Kır said.
Urging people not to be too quick to criticize those who are in credit card debt, Hikmet Meşe, 40, said sometimes there is no other choice but to run up a credit card bill. "We have run out of money. I have a child in high school. We constantly worry about losing electricity."
Noting that many people need therapy, he said, "Leaders should stop the dog fight and focus on finding a cure for the crisis."
The share-the-work plan has provided a little relief in the region, according to the regional chairman of Öz İplik-İş, All Weaving, Yarn, Tricot and Garments Industry Workers Trade Union. "Layoffs have almost come to a halt. However, the situation will take a turn for the worse if things do not improve within six months," said Rafi Ay.
Although teahouses represent a unique traditional culture in Turkey, their status has changed from being a place to read books and discuss politics into sanctuaries for the retired and unemployed.
The global turmoil has had a big impact on a substantial proportion of around 400 textile factories operating in Turkey’s Thrace region.
The impact of the deepening crisis has caused 7,200 workers to lose their jobs in Tekirdağ and Kırklareli since Jan. 1. Some 21 factories shut down in Çorlu, while 76 leather factories have suspended production since September last year, delivering a serious blow to the country’s industrial zones. Of the 21 factories shutdown in Çorlu, some 16 were operating in textile and five in leather industry. Out of 136 leather factories located in the town, only 60 continue their operations. The remaining 76 had to suspend production.
"Industrial electricity consumption in the region has dropped 30 percent, which is a very high figure," said Dursun Ali Tever, chairman of the Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"Currently there are 312 textile factories registered with our chamber. There is an awful stagnation and unemployment is the top problem," said Özlem Yemişçi, chairman of the Çorlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "If the situation continues, when unemployment insurance benefits dry up in six months, things will get a whole lot worse. We have decided to establish a crisis center and start visiting our members. Tensions are high and people are seriously demoralized by uncertainties."
Unemployment benefits
Nearly 4,350 people in Tekirdağ, which covers the land including Çorlu and Çerkezköy, have applied to collect unemployment insurance since the beginning of the year, according to the Turkish Employment Organization, or İşkur. The situation is not much different in Kırklareli, which has Lüleburgaz within its borders, where 2,871 people applied to collect unemployment insurance. According to official data, 7,219 people have been unemployed since the beginning of the year. The figure surges drastically when the unregistered jobless are added to the picture. Moreover, layoffs show no sign of slowing down, as nearly 20 companies in Çorlu are expected to fire their workers soon.
While the workers who managed to obtain their severance pay are trying to get by on it, others who were not so lucky are being crushed under bulging debt. Frustration levels rise in the wake of sinking hopes. Those who have nothing better to do than sit around at teahouses said they have been going through serious psychological issues in this climate of uncertainty.
Some 237 workers working at Gök Tekstil, located between Lüleburgaz and Çorlu, face another grievance. Since the company has sent them on unpaid leave, the workers are unable to collect their salaries. Trying to avoid paying for tea, these workers attend union clubs and spend time reading labor laws.
"During unpaid leave, we cannot receive severance pay, unemployment insurance or seek a new job," said İsmail Ölmez, 46, a Gök Tekstil worker. "I am not only unable to pay the loan for my house, I also cannot pay water and electricity bills. I have not been able to send money to my daughter who is studying at university. Our relatives and neighbors feed us. My pockets are empty. I haven’t even been able to adopt to the newly published Turkish Lira, as I barely see one every now and then."
"Gök Tekstil sent me and 237 friends to leave as of the end of January, first with pay and then without pay," said 41-year-old Bülent Kır.
"The fact that we are not dismissed completely ties us down, preventing us from seeking other jobs. As if not receiving severance pay is not enough, we also cannot apply for unemployment insurance because we still appear to be working [officially].
"There are many people like us. The law does not approve of the unpaid leave without the consent of workers. We drew up a record, but employers are always protected. We are swimming in debt. The number of unemployed in the region has already reached 10,000," Kır said.
Urging people not to be too quick to criticize those who are in credit card debt, Hikmet Meşe, 40, said sometimes there is no other choice but to run up a credit card bill. "We have run out of money. I have a child in high school. We constantly worry about losing electricity."
Noting that many people need therapy, he said, "Leaders should stop the dog fight and focus on finding a cure for the crisis."
The share-the-work plan has provided a little relief in the region, according to the regional chairman of Öz İplik-İş, All Weaving, Yarn, Tricot and Garments Industry Workers Trade Union. "Layoffs have almost come to a halt. However, the situation will take a turn for the worse if things do not improve within six months," said Rafi Ay.