Çeler Calls on K-Pet Management to Withdraw Dismissal Attempt Regarding Nine Employees
In a written statement, Çeler evaluated the developments at K-Pet and the strike by the Revolutionary Workers Trade Federation (Dev-İş) and the Cyprus Turkish Petroleum Workers Union (Petrol-İş), stating, “The labor of the working class cannot be left to the whims of management.”
Stating that the cost of ending operations at Ercan cannot be paid by nine employees and their families, Çeler said that protecting the job security of the employees should be a priority, and the management should produce a solution by evaluating existing resources.
Çeler recalled that the Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced there is an inconsistency between the board of directors’ decision and the dismissal procedures, and that it would not accept the dismissal notification until this is resolved; he criticized the management for continuing the attempt despite this.
Asking, “While the legal findings put forward by the Ministry and the proposed solutions for employing workers in different units of the company are evident, why is there insistence on dismissal?”, Çeler noted that closing the door to compromise when options exist to protect employees’ jobs is “unacceptable.”
“The state is obliged to protect the rights of the worker”
Reminding that he previously served as the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Çeler stated that the state’s fundamental responsibility in working life is to ensure the enforcement of the law and the protection of employees’ rights.
Saying, “The will put forward by the Ministry should not remain merely in statements, it must produce concrete results,” Çeler demanded the protection of job security, union rights, and gains arising from collective bargaining agreements, and that the Ministry effectively use its authority and responsibilities.
Addressing the K-Pet management, Çeler asked that the solution proposals of Dev-İş and Petrol-İş be taken into consideration, and that the nine employees continue to be employed in the units needed by the company while preserving their current rights.
“Withdraw the dismissal decisions, open the path to compromise”
Saying, “Withdraw the dismissal attempts, take the unions’ proposals into consideration, and open the path to compromise,” Çeler stated that the strike should result in an agreement guaranteeing the rights of the employees.
Emphasizing that the TDP has stood by labor, organized struggle, and social justice from past to present, Çeler stated that what is happening at K-Pet also concerns the future of working life in the country, noting that the party supports the rightful struggle of the unions and will follow the issue.
