Motorcycle couriers in Turkey getting organized against unsafe working conditions

Motorcycle couriers in Turkey's Istanbul called for getting organized after their fellow worker Burak Demir was killed in a traffic accident
Thursday, 17 October 2019 09:27

Burak Demir, who was sent to deliver an order by motorcycle in rainy weather in Arnavutköy, İstanbul, lost his life at the age of 16 in a traffic accident in August. Earning a daily wage of 40 liras (6.8 USD), the motorcycle courier was forced to deliver despite he had no driving license. 

After the death of Burak, who was employed without his family's consent and with no insurance, a large number of motorcycle couriers gathered in Arnavutköy Cumhuriyet Square to protest the working conditions.

The solidarity network initiated by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), "We Breathe Down the Bosses' Neck" issued a statement calling for the motorcycle couriers to come together and defend their rights together.

After the network's call, a press release was held with the participation of many couriers at the end of August. In their statement, the motorcycle couriers calling for organizing said that the only way to fight against the unsafe working conditions was to struggle together.