Hundreds of workers from Systemair, HSK, Özer Elektrik and Baldur factories were fired without compensation or forced on unpaid leave for being members of the United Metal Workers Union (Birleşik Metal-Iş).

 

The workers gathered in front of the union's Gebze Branch in the morning to march to Ankara to reclaim their rights.

 

The workers marched behind banners saying "We want the right to unionize", "We used our Constitutional right, we were fired" and "We joined the union, we were fired without compensation”.

 

Police officers, who soon blocked the march, said that it would not be allowed and attacked workers when they insisted on marching.

 

The workers who reacted to the police attack by shouting "Repression cannot silence us" were beaten and taken into custody.

 

Many workers, including Birleşik Metal-Iş Gebze Branch executives Muhammet Hanifi Orhan and Mesut Bozöyük, were detained.