ANKARA - In a statement regarding the detention of SES members, KESK said: "The pressures against the SES are provocative steps aimed at shadowing and preventing the union’s work before the community."

 

The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) Ankara Branches Platform held a press conference regarding the detention of eight Health and Social Service Workers’ Union (SES) members and executives, including SES Co-Chair Selma Atabey, in a raid on May 25. Many KESK members attended the press release. 

 

A banner writing "Our struggle for labor, democracy and the right to health cannot be prevented, detainees should be released" was hung in the meeting room.

 

Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen) No.2 Branch Chair Hüseyin Kök read the statement text.

 

‘Politics-mafia relations came to light’

 

Pointing out that there was a period in which the politics-mafia relations came to light, it was stated that the government carried out detention operations against labor, democracy forces and social opposition with the aim of changing the agenda. Emphasizing that the pressures on SES are provocative steps aimed at shadowing and preventing the union's efforts before the community, the statement said: “However, we express once again that we are aware of these steps. Trade union activities are guaranteed by the constitution and the detention of health professionals, who stand out with their unionist identities, means a violation of the most basic constitutional rights. It wanted to be done with this operation is an effort to criminalize our union struggle.”

 

‘We will not bow down to your violence’

 

In the statement, it was stated that they will raise the struggle for a democratic Turkey in favor of labor, equality and freedom against oppression, exploitation, corruption, the cult-mafia order, and said: “We express it once again here. SES will not take a step back from being a defender of the rights of health and social service workers and fighting for the right to health. We will not bow to your oppressions, detentions, mobbing and violence.”