The deepening economic crisis in Turkey and Kurdistan is making the living conditions of the working class increasingly difficult. Wages eroded by high inflation and rising living costs are intensifying financial hardship for workers, while growing pressure in workplaces, job insecurity, and violations of rights are also drawing attention. As May Day approaches, workers are voicing their demands for a dignified life, secure employment, and fair wages.
Umut Yeğin, a Central Executive Board member of the Labour Party (EMEP), spoke to ANF about the challenges faced by workers and laborers.
Workers’ voices grow stronger through organization
Umut Yeğin emphasized that the visibility of the working class’s demands is directly linked to organization and said: “The visibility of organized power and the strength of its voice against the authorities it struggles against are related to a natural balance of power. Therefore, both in Kurdistan and across Turkey, how organized the working class and laborers are crucial in terms of making their voices heard.”
Kurdish workers’ demands are not being met
Umut Yeğin said that Kurdish workers are struggling not only for economic rights but also for identity and fundamental rights and criticized the ongoing process in parliament. Yeğin said: “There has been a process ongoing for about one and a half years, although its name changes depending on how different parties define it. A commission was formed in parliament and a report was published. From our perspective, this report does not meet any of the demands of Kurdish workers.
Oil is currently being extracted in Gabar, Şırnak, and there are 16 workers who were dismissed by a company jointly owned by Arab and American foreign capital. These workers protested both working conditions and wages, organized into a union, and were dismissed for unionizing.
Can we say that these workers are only fighting for wages and working conditions and will participate in May Day solely with these demands? Of course not. At the same time, they are also struggling against the long-standing war in this region, the ongoing denial, and the inability to freely live their identity and culture.
These issues are intertwined. That is why, this year, we are also making the following call for May Day: if we are to take part in May Day against the conditions of exploitation imposed by the government and the state, we must also participate with our national demands. Because we know very well that, while this process is important, the most decisive actor in bringing it to this stage has been the working people of this region.”
Workers are paying the price of the crisis
Umut Yeğin said that the burden of the economic crisis is being placed on workers and made the following assessment: “There is a situation like this: May Day 2026, the International Workers’ Day of Unity, Struggle and Solidarity, is being approached in an atmosphere where war continues in the country, and we are just before it. At the same time, with the effects of this war, conditions of exploitation, which already existed, are becoming even more severe.
Therefore, we can say this: this year, the International Day of Unity, Struggle and Solidarity will be a day when workers come together for a world without war and without exploitation.”
Call for May Day mobilization
Umut Yeğin also called on all workers and said: “To emphasize once again, in this period, we call on all workers across the country, especially Kurdish workers in Kurdish provinces, to take part in May Day for a world without war and without exploitation, particularly against the ongoing imperialist wars around the world. This is not something that can be achieved only by attending May Day rallies on that day. Workers must unite around these demands and expand the struggle in their workplaces, streets, neighborhoods, and schools.”
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