Employees of the textile factory Kazova were accustomed to receive their pay with a few
months late. But in late January 2013, with four months of unpaid wages they found all
licensed overnight. It is for them the beginning of a long struggle that will bring a
dozen of them to occupy the factory to resume production and to consider another operation
work without hierarchy. ---- In early 2013, 94 employees of the factory Kazova (clothing
knitted cotton) learn that the plant will be sold. They have not yet received their last 4
months of salary. On January 31, their boss, Mr. ?mit Somuncu gives them a week off,
promising to resolve the situation and pay. When they return to the factory, it is the
lawyers who welcome Mr Somuncu with a letter of dismissal.
With the support of lawyers Contemporary Lawyers Association (?a?da? Hukuk?ular Derne?i)
and members of the Movement of Revolutionary Workers (Devrimci Hareketi ISCI), former
workers Kazova refer the matter to court. The procedure is in progress.
During the following month, they organize several events and press conferences, at 3 per
week: one to the Taksim Square in central Istanbul, one in the Bomonti ?i?li district
where the plant is located, and to the house of their former boss.
At the end of April, to the fact that trucks come to the factory at night to take the
machines, a dozen of them decide to respond by giving a new shape to their strength: they
set up camp before the factory where they will stay for two months, until 29 June
Since that day is the factory itself they occupy.
From the first days of the occupation, Mr Somuncu trying to negotiate with its former
employees by promising to pay them after 50 days if they leave the factory. It was not
shown at all in the first five months of struggle. The occupants do not believe and refuse
to leave the factory before getting their pay and recognition of their rights.
During the summer occupants continue to organize. They are in the factory stock of
garments whose construction was interrupted. They finish the production, sell, use the
money to repair old machines that are in the factory, in order to resume production in
early September. On Saturday, September 28 they organized a fashion show to promote their
products and their struggle to the public. Many people came to support them and they sell
most of their stock.
The following "Occupy Gezi"
and solidarity with Kazova
The overall feel of resistance and solidarity in which diving is a part of the city since
June Turkey has allowed workers Kazova to feel more supported in their struggle. If this
context helped decide to occupy the factory, solidarity was also concrete repeatedly.
For the record, Gezi Park, in the heart of Istanbul, was the scene of a major uprising in
June, against an urban project that threatened the park. The park was held for two weeks,
until a particularly violent police operation on June 15. Thereafter, if the resistance
movement became more discreet, it is still present in the minds of many Turks and found
other forms of existence. After the expulsion of Gezi Park, forums, or popular assemblies
are held in parks. These forums are less busy at the beginning but their existence is
maintained by those who see it as a working model for future social organization.
Forums now have a role in organizing the resistance at various local struggles. Occupants
Kazova have found support and help to repair old machines, selling their first
productions, organizing occasional gatherings at the factory when a particular difficulty
arises ...
If occupants are Kazova a dozen, many more are those who are willing to come support if
needed.
Consider the future:
the cooperative
The fight is far from over. The factory building is sold to another company and the new
owner is likely to claim his property. Ownership of machines is not clear because the
company was in debt. The judicial process is still ongoing for the former employees of
Kazova demanding their rights. The occupants of the factory hoping to get the ownership of
machinery in exchange for unpaid wages. The court will decide.
Once a week the occupiers of the factory held a meeting in the old boss's office to decide
how to proceed. Also present lawyers Contemporary Lawyers Association and member of the
Movement of Revolutionary Workers.
Together they seek solutions in order to sustain in another room a new organization of
work without hierarchy. They want to establish a self-cooperative in which each would not
work more than 6 hours per day and would be paid fairly.
A portion of the profits of the cooperative is to be used to support other struggles ...
L., October 2013
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