Istanbul taxi drivers to go on one-day strike to protest killings
Taxi drivers in Istanbul will hold a one-day strike Jan. 13 from 2 p.m. to midnight to protest the killings of taxi drivers at work, Doğan news agency reported Tuesday.
The United Taxi Drivers Association announced the protest, with association head Memduh Çırak warning residents and visitors that it would be difficult to find a cab on that day.
The planned protest comes after taxi driver Kenan Önal was found fatally shot in his cab in the Anatolian-side district of Üsküdar on Saturday night.
“The main reason for this is our loss of a dear friend and colleague on Saturday night. We have no life security. This [demonstration] is for our rights; [It is also a] warning,” Çırak said.
Once taxi drivers’ problems are solved, residents’ complaints about taxis will diminish too, said Çırak, who also criticized the lack of social security benefits for cab operators.
Taxi driver Tuncay Sönmez said he supported the decision to strike although he added it should have happened sooner.
“If we held a strike 10 years ago, today taxi drivers would be in a very different position,” he said.
Muammer Trabzon, another taxi driver, said they did not intend to leave local residents in a difficult position. “This is a demonstration of reaction, about our personal safety, social insurance, the increases in taxi fares and gas prices.”
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– Source: newsturkish.com
