Turkish Workers of TEKEL Strike for the 55th Day

A Turkish worker of the state liquor and tobacco company TEKEL, on strike for the 55th day as some 200 of them continue a three-day hunger strike in protest of layoffs and loss of labor rights following the privatization of the company, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.

Turkish workers of the state liquor and tobacco company TEKEL, on strike for the 55th day as some 200 of them continue a three-day hunger strike in protest of layoffs and loss of labor rights following the privatization of the company, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Thousands of former employees of TEKEL have been staging protests in the capital since December, demanding a restitution of their rights.

Turkish workers of the state liquor and tobacco company TEKEL, on strike for the 55th day as some 200 of them continue a three-day hunger strike in protest of layoffs and loss of labor rights following the privatization of the company, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Thousands of former employees of TEKEL have been staging protests in the capital since December, demanding a restitution of their rights.

Medics carry Bilal Temiz from Bursa, a Turkish worker of the state liquor and tobacco company TEKEL, on strike for the 55th day as some 200 of them continue a three-day hunger strike in protest of layoffs and loss of labor rights following the privatization of the company, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Thousands of former employees of TEKEL have been staging protests in the capital since December, demanding a restitution of their rights.

People pass by a tent of Turkish workers of the state liquor and tobacco company TEKEL, on strike for 55th day as some 200 of them continue a three-day hunger strike in protest of layoffs and loss of labor rights following the privatization of the company, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Thousands of former employees of TEKEL have been staging protests in the capital since December, demanding a restitution of their rights. The banner reads: "Tayyip Erdogan (Prime Minister) don't forget your past." Enditem