Organisation Communiste Libertarie (OCL) - Turkey / class struggle in A Busy Factory in Istanbul (fr)

Employees of the textile factory Kazova were accustomed to receive their pay with a few 
months late. But in late January 2013, with four months of unpaid wages they found all 
licensed overnight. It is for them the beginning of a long struggle that will bring a 
dozen of them to occupy the factory to resume production and to consider another operation 
work without hierarchy. ---- In early 2013, 94 employees of the factory Kazova (clothing 
knitted cotton) learn that the plant will be sold. They have not yet received their last 4 
months of salary. On January 31, their boss, Mr. ?mit Somuncu gives them a week off, 
promising to resolve the situation and pay. When they return to the factory, it is the 
lawyers who welcome Mr Somuncu with a letter of dismissal.

With the support of lawyers Contemporary Lawyers Association (?a?da? Hukuk?ular Derne?i) 
and members of the Movement of Revolutionary Workers (Devrimci Hareketi ISCI), former 
workers Kazova refer the matter to court. The procedure is in progress.

During the following month, they organize several events and press conferences, at 3 per 
week: one to the Taksim Square in central Istanbul, one in the Bomonti ?i?li district 
where the plant is located, and to the house of their former boss.

At the end of April, to the fact that trucks come to the factory at night to take the 
machines, a dozen of them decide to respond by giving a new shape to their strength: they 
set up camp before the factory where they will stay for two months, until 29 June

Since that day is the factory itself they occupy.

From the first days of the occupation, Mr Somuncu trying to negotiate with its former 
employees by promising to pay them after 50 days if they leave the factory. It was not 
shown at all in the first five months of struggle. The occupants do not believe and refuse 
to leave the factory before getting their pay and recognition of their rights.



During the summer occupants continue to organize. They are in the factory stock of 
garments whose construction was interrupted. They finish the production, sell, use the 
money to repair old machines that are in the factory, in order to resume production in 
early September. On Saturday, September 28 they organized a fashion show to promote their 
products and their struggle to the public. Many people came to support them and they sell 
most of their stock.

The following "Occupy Gezi"
and solidarity with Kazova

The overall feel of resistance and solidarity in which diving is a part of the city since 
June Turkey has allowed workers Kazova to feel more supported in their struggle. If this 
context helped decide to occupy the factory, solidarity was also concrete repeatedly.

For the record, Gezi Park, in the heart of Istanbul, was the scene of a major uprising in 
June, against an urban project that threatened the park. The park was held for two weeks, 
until a particularly violent police operation on June 15. Thereafter, if the resistance 
movement became more discreet, it is still present in the minds of many Turks and found 
other forms of existence. After the expulsion of Gezi Park, forums, or popular assemblies 
are held in parks. These forums are less busy at the beginning but their existence is 
maintained by those who see it as a working model for future social organization.

Forums now have a role in organizing the resistance at various local struggles. Occupants 
Kazova have found support and help to repair old machines, selling their first 
productions, organizing occasional gatherings at the factory when a particular difficulty 
arises ...

If occupants are Kazova a dozen, many more are those who are willing to come support if 
needed.

Consider the future:
the cooperative

The fight is far from over. The factory building is sold to another company and the new 
owner is likely to claim his property. Ownership of machines is not clear because the 
company was in debt. The judicial process is still ongoing for the former employees of 
Kazova demanding their rights. The occupants of the factory hoping to get the ownership of 
machinery in exchange for unpaid wages. The court will decide.

Once a week the occupiers of the factory held a meeting in the old boss's office to decide 
how to proceed. Also present lawyers Contemporary Lawyers Association and member of the 
Movement of Revolutionary Workers.

Together they seek solutions in order to sustain in another room a new organization of 
work without hierarchy. They want to establish a self-cooperative in which each would not 
work more than 6 hours per day and would be paid fairly.

A portion of the profits of the cooperative is to be used to support other struggles ...

L., October 2013