Turkish Labor Unions Stage One-Day Strike to Support Former State Tobacco Company Workers

Source from:  The Associated Press 02/05/2010

Tens of thousands of workers from six Turkish labor unions are staging a one-day strike in support of former state tobacco company employees over their layoffs. Workers taking part in the Thursday demonstration want the government to re-employ about 10,000 workers who lost their jobs following the privatization of the state tobacco company. The government, citing economic hardships, has only offered an 11-month temporary contract in other areas to them. The contract may be renewed. Some of the former tobacco workers are staging hunger strikes in protest. They have been staying in tents in freezing temperatures in Ankara and staging daily protests since December. Enditem