The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) emphasized that mines are being “plundered” by the private sector and announced a 9-point plan for liberation. Demanding the cancellation of all mining licenses, TKP called for the urgent and free nationalization of mining.
“Market Order” Collapses in Mines
In a statement released by TKP, it was stated that despite the richness of Turkey's underground resources, the current free market order has turned these resources into a field of “plunder”. Reminding that institutions such as Etibank and Turkish Coal Enterprises, which formed the basis of the industrial infrastructure in the past, were privatized and rendered dysfunctional, the statement said that mines were handed over to the profit greed of conglomerates and multinational monopolies.
”Nature Destroyed, Miners Condemned to Misery”
Emphasizing that the current situation has severe consequences, the bulletin stated that the lives of workers are disregarded for the sake of cost calculations and that nature has suffered irreparable damage. It was criticized that mining licenses have become a “rent gate” for capital rather than contributing to national income.
The Future of Mines in 9 Articles: TKP's Solution Plan
TKP demands the following steps for Turkey's economic independence and the welfare of the people:
Nationalization at no cost: Mining exploration and operation licenses of all private companies should be canceled and their operations should be confiscated.
Central Planning: Mining activities should be carried out by the state with a centralized plan that takes into account the needs of industry and agriculture.
Scientific and Environmental Approach: Forests, water resources and public health must be protected; mining must be based on scientific data.
Worker Health and Safety: Miners' trade union rights and safe working conditions must be guaranteed by the state.
End Products and Industrialization: Mines should not only be exported as raw materials, but should be processed in Turkey and transformed into high value-added products.
Engineering Driven Production: Instead of a construction-oriented low value-added model, an industry with high technology and engineering quality should be established.
Back to Nature: It should be mandatory to rehabilitate and restore the ecological balance of the sites that are no longer in operation.
Indigenous Technology and R&D: Mining machinery should be indigenized and R&D studies for environmentally friendly technologies should be supported.
Democratic Audit: The nationalization process must be carried out in a transparent manner with the active supervision of trade unions and relevant professional chambers. ”Turkey's natural wealth is the property of the people; all mines must be nationalized immediately to put an end to this brazenness.”
