Kurdish seasonal workers ordeal in Bursa
Kurdish seasonal workers ordeal in Bursa
The Governor of Bursa has put up a tent city for around 5,000 seasonal workers near the city. The workers have one bathroom per 50 people and no electricity and water.
The workers come from the Kurdish majority provinces in southeast and east Turkey.
Three months ago, the Kurdish workers were placed in tent cities despite heavy rainfall and flooding and they couldn’t leave even though a number of diseases were present.
The Chamber of Medical Practioners (TTB) warned that “due to a lack of access to medicine a number of infectious diseases will flourish in the camp.”
The municipality brings non-potable water once every three days instead of providing running water.
Through the city water supply drinking water is supplied once every three days in the camp.
The residents of the camp have to drink the turbid water and almost boiling temperature because there is no electricity for refrigeration.
On top of that, the seasonal workers are exposed to racist attacks in the tent cities. Yesterday, after the clash in Silvan, a group of unknown assailants attacked the camp with guns. Authorities ignored this attack and the workers’ only help came from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Bursa Organization.
Ayla Yýldýrým, the BDP Co-Chair said that the Governor of Bursa’s authorities gave misleading information about the situation. According to information given by the office of the governor, these tent cities have pre-fabricated houses, temporary schools, water and electric infrastructure. The BDP will take steps to make a legal appeal to address the deficiencies in the tent city.
The workers come from the Kurdish majority provinces in southeast and east Turkey.
Three months ago, the Kurdish workers were placed in tent cities despite heavy rainfall and flooding and they couldn’t leave even though a number of diseases were present.
The Chamber of Medical Practioners (TTB) warned that “due to a lack of access to medicine a number of infectious diseases will flourish in the camp.”
The municipality brings non-potable water once every three days instead of providing running water.
Through the city water supply drinking water is supplied once every three days in the camp.
The residents of the camp have to drink the turbid water and almost boiling temperature because there is no electricity for refrigeration.
On top of that, the seasonal workers are exposed to racist attacks in the tent cities. Yesterday, after the clash in Silvan, a group of unknown assailants attacked the camp with guns. Authorities ignored this attack and the workers’ only help came from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Bursa Organization.
Ayla Yýldýrým, the BDP Co-Chair said that the Governor of Bursa’s authorities gave misleading information about the situation. According to information given by the office of the governor, these tent cities have pre-fabricated houses, temporary schools, water and electric infrastructure. The BDP will take steps to make a legal appeal to address the deficiencies in the tent city.
