Among the workers most affected by the coronavirus pandemic restrictions are cafes and bar employees. These employees, mostly young people with university degrees, are now faced with unemployment.

Ismail Aydın and Betül Topkaya are two of these young people. They spoke to ANF about the pandemic and the restrictions imposed on workers.

"The government turned the pandemic into an opportunity”

25-year-old Ismail Aydın, who graduated from the department of geography, was working at a breakfast shop in Kadıköy.

He said it is difficult to find a job related to what one studied if you have no contact with the high spheres of government. Aydın added that the only job he could find in order to earn a living was now gone because of the pandemic.

According to Aydın the closure of cafes and bars is a political decision rather than a preventive measure.

Emphasizing that the government turned the pandemic into an opportunity to prevent alcohol consumption in places where more secular people live, Aydın said: “Just like with the 15 July [2016] coup attempt, the government, which sees the pandemic as 'God's grace', does not stop production in factories, but closes the places that disturb it.” Stating that he was unable to pay the house rent, Aydın noted that they would not be silent until they got their rights.

"We always have a plan B!"

Betül Topkaya said that, like many cafe and bar workers, her workplace was closed overnight and she became unemployed. Topkaya, who graduated from the psychology department of Istanbul University but could not find a job in her field, emphasized that she worked as a waiter in Kadıköy.

Topkaya, who could not get short-time work allowance because she was not insured, stated that her friends who could get allowance also cannot get along.

Reminding that the government cannot manage this process, Topkaya said that they could not receive any support when they lost their jobs in other sectors.

Pointing out that people are just worried to save the day, Tokaya said: “We are happy if we can find the money to buy pasta. We do not know how we can sustain our lives this way. Because it is not clear how long this process will continue. But despite everything we have a plan B. Solidarity with each other and struggle against those who left us unemployed."

Emphasizing that a support package should be offered to tradesmen and cafe-bar employees as soon as possible, Topkaya said: "We want to be cared for and want our demands to be met.”