Following the strikes at Migros warehouses against miserable wages, workers at BİM's warehouses also went on strike. Workers at BİM's warehouse in Van started a work slowdown yesterday and today workers in Arnavutköy, Erzurum and Iğdır in Istanbul also stopped work.
As the work stoppage of BİM Warehouse workers in Van continues with determination on its second day, news of new protests came. The Warehouse, Port, Shipyard and Maritime Workers Union (DGD-SEN) announced on its X account in the morning that workers at the BİM warehouse in Istanbul's Arnavutköy district have also stopped work. The statement read, “BİM warehouse shipment workers in Arnavutköy, Istanbul have stopped work against the 27 percent misery raise! Warehouse workers will stop work for 1 hour a day until their demands are met.’.
We said occupation, strike, resistance. They cannot defeat this will, they cannot turn back...
Workers united are invincible! 🙌 #GrabberMigros pic.twitter.com/huOdvMtEPW
- DGD-SEN (@DGDSEN) January 30, 2026
Protests are spreading
In Erzurum and Iğdır, BİM Warehouse workers also participated in a work stoppage, saying that they do not accept the miserable wage imposition.
The workers gathered in the yard of the BIM warehouse in Iğdır, chanting slogans and emphasizing that the wage increase is below the hunger limit. Drawing attention to the harsh working conditions, the workers called for a livable and fair wage.
Riot police beating workers, not letting them into the warehouse!
“They are all over me, they won't let me into the warehouse. We weren't fired! Your duty is to protect us, but you are protecting them. But we will win, let everyone hear, the warehouse workers will win!”
We will win by resisting!... pic.twitter.com/xmFwgi8BTP
- DGD-SEN (@DGDSEN) January 30, 2026
Intimidation to break the resistance
The struggle of more than 7,800 subcontracted workers in Migros warehouses for tenure and a decent wage has been going on for more than a week. Most recently, Migros management issued a statement announcing the dismissal of the workers working in the warehouses where the resistance continues, and sent messages to the workers saying ’Your employment contract has been terminated“. However, the workers stated that there was no official record of dismissal in the e-Government and SSI systems and that this was an attempt to intimidate and pressure them to break the actual resistance.
In Şekerpınar, supervisors locked the workers who tried to come from inside the warehouse to the front of the warehouse. Migros took warehouse workers hostage!
They are increasing their crimes every moment. What does it mean to lock the workers up?
We call on all public opinion to speak out and stand with the warehousemen!#GrabberMigros pic.twitter.com/ZcIyqWMdxB
- DGD-SEN (@DGDSEN) January 30, 2026
Workers allegedly taken hostage
While the protests at the Migros warehouse in Şekerpınar neighborhood of Çayırova continue, it was claimed that workers who tried to come from inside the warehouse to the front of the warehouse were locked in a room by their supervisors. In the footage shared by the Warehouse, Port, Shipyard and Maritime Workers Union on social media, there was an argument between the workers and the authorities. The workers chanted “Our right to strike cannot be prevented” and blew whistles.