(EQTSAD)- The Syrian labor milieu in Turkey is witnessing a rising debate and severe divisions about calls being made on social media websites for Syrian laborers in Turkey to strike for three days starting first of May.
Muhammad al-Naemi, the head of the Syrian Association for Refugee Rights, has denounced the calls for the strike that have been spreading on Facebook where the strike is presented as a protest against the harsh working conditions Syrian laborers are experiencing in Turkey.
Under the banner of “let’s move away from politics”, al-Naemi said, “Syrian must stay away from Turkish political disputes, and not serve as firewood in this political fire”. He added, “We have various prior instances as lessons; what happened in Akchakale school, in Tell al-Abyad camp, and Turkish responses in Kilis after rockets hit in the city.”
The head of the Association warned of the Turkish opposition using these instances and refugees to embarrass the current Turkish government, stressing “We are against this totally. We will not allow the Turkish opposition to involve Syrian refugees in political scores.”
Al-Naemi was asked about the laborers’ rightful demands especially regarding the long working hours and low wages. He said, “We are not Turkish citizens to make citizens’ demands. We are refugees and we should submit to the governmental dictates.”
Al-Naemi placed the responsibility of the terrible conditions Syrian laborers are facing in Turkey at the door step of the Syrian Coalition and the temporary government, because they failed, according to his description, to form a reference- away from politics- that is representative of the Syrian refugees.
The 1st of May is the Labor and Solidarity Day in Turkey where many people in Turkey demonstrate to demand better conditions for laborers and union workers, or protest the policies of the Turkish government.
Turkish authorities announced new regulations in late January to allow Syrians living in Turkey to apply for work permits. Syrians who has been under temporary protection in Turkey could apply after they have been in Turkey for at least six months and that would allow them to be paid at least the minimum wage.
Although the work permit regulation has been implemented, most Syrians out of the 2,749,140, the recent statistic of the number of Syrian refugees issued by General Directorate of Migration Management, still work illegally and are usually paid very low wages.
(Translation by Rana Abdul)
Muhammad al-Naemi, the head of the Syrian Association for Refugee Rights, has denounced the calls for the strike that have been spreading on Facebook where the strike is presented as a protest against the harsh working conditions Syrian laborers are experiencing in Turkey.
Under the banner of “let’s move away from politics”, al-Naemi said, “Syrian must stay away from Turkish political disputes, and not serve as firewood in this political fire”. He added, “We have various prior instances as lessons; what happened in Akchakale school, in Tell al-Abyad camp, and Turkish responses in Kilis after rockets hit in the city.”
The head of the Association warned of the Turkish opposition using these instances and refugees to embarrass the current Turkish government, stressing “We are against this totally. We will not allow the Turkish opposition to involve Syrian refugees in political scores.”
Al-Naemi was asked about the laborers’ rightful demands especially regarding the long working hours and low wages. He said, “We are not Turkish citizens to make citizens’ demands. We are refugees and we should submit to the governmental dictates.”
Al-Naemi placed the responsibility of the terrible conditions Syrian laborers are facing in Turkey at the door step of the Syrian Coalition and the temporary government, because they failed, according to his description, to form a reference- away from politics- that is representative of the Syrian refugees.
The 1st of May is the Labor and Solidarity Day in Turkey where many people in Turkey demonstrate to demand better conditions for laborers and union workers, or protest the policies of the Turkish government.
Turkish authorities announced new regulations in late January to allow Syrians living in Turkey to apply for work permits. Syrians who has been under temporary protection in Turkey could apply after they have been in Turkey for at least six months and that would allow them to be paid at least the minimum wage.
Although the work permit regulation has been implemented, most Syrians out of the 2,749,140, the recent statistic of the number of Syrian refugees issued by General Directorate of Migration Management, still work illegally and are usually paid very low wages.
(Translation by Rana Abdul)
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