A copper mine in Şirvan district of Siirt province in eastern Turkey was transferred to Cengiz Holding, after an occupational murder killing 16 miners. Cengiz Holding fired the last 69 miners who worked in the mine.
The mine was transferred to Cengiz Holding, which is known for its immense growth during AKP era. Cengiz Holding began to dismiss the workers. The last 69 workers of the mine, including representatives of Mine Workers' Union of Turkey (Maden İş), are fired on Wednesday.
The mine had already deprived people of any other chances of employment, making agriculture impossible in the area. In recent past, when some workers were dismissed, miners started work stoppage and the government intervened to arbitrate between workers and the owner company. However, the company is now transferred to pro-government Cengiz Holding.
Cengiz Holding grew rapidly during AKP era under clientelist relations. Its tax due of 424 million TL (117 million $) was relieved by the government. Cengiz Holding also won a major portion of important, high-budgeted tenders by state institutions in recent years; including highway, railway, airport and port constructions, dam and nuclear plant constructions.
