Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard

On 11 February 2022, approximately 1500 workers from 20 companies at the Aliağa Shipbreaking Shipyard in Izmir started a wildcat strike demanding a wage increase. When the workers of Ege Çelik and Metaş also went on strike on 15 February, all 22 companies in Aliağa Shipbreaking Shipyard joined the strike. The strike started with the gathering of workers in front of the Ship Recycling Industrialists' Association at the entrance of the shipyard in the morning and a march in the shipyard area. The demands set by the workers were as follows:
1- Salary increase (Daily wage demands: Ship 500 TL, Field 450 TL, Apprentice 350 TL, Sapper 400 TL, Workshop workers 450 TL, Ship operator 500 TL, Field operator 450 TL, Driver 450 TL)
2- Depositing the salaries to the bank over the wage received
3-Hourly wages for 4 hours of working hours to be 1 wage per day
4-No deduction of wages in case of not working in adverse weather conditions
5-Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a timely and complete manner
6-Maintenance of oxygen lamps and elimination of deficiencies
7-Non-discontinuation of insurance
8-Rectification of social facilities
9- Excuse leaves should not be deducted from the daily wage
10- Public holidays are given as extra overtime
11-Half day work on Saturdays. Extra overtime in case of full day work.
12- Annual holidays to be granted
13- Taking labour representatives under protocol
14- Validation of the existing certificate in all construction sites
15- Coverage of the health report fee by the employer at the time of employment
16- Wage increases every 6 months
17- Recognition of ship dismantling as a heavy industry
The demands of the workers were not accepted and the strike ended on 22 February 2022. However, as a result of the strike, partial gains were achieved, such as a certain increase in wages, taking occupational safety measures, paying insurance premiums based on real wages, and starting to deposit wages in the bank.