Nihat Demir, the Secretary General of the Revolutionary Construction and Road Workers Union (Dev-Yapı-İş), has voiced strong criticism against the policies of government-appointed trustees, particularly highlighting their practices in Kurdish regions. Demir told ANF that the trustees have been systematically hiring workers from other parts of Turkey instead of local Kurdish workers, effectively pushing Kurdish laborers into economic hardship and forcing them to migrate from their own lands.

According to Demir, this practice is part of a broader strategy by the AKP government to undermine the economic stability of the Kurdish population.

Demir said: "Every government that comes to power ignores the Kurdish people to maintain its control. They scapegoat the Kurdish population to conceal systemic corruption, unsolved murders, legal injustices, rising inequality, and the worsening economic crisis. The increasing numbers of hungry children and unemployed parents, along with environmental destruction and violence against women, including harassment, rape, and femicides, are all hidden behind the demonization of an entire people."

Exploitation of Kurdish resources

Demir emphasized the resilience and richness of the Kurdish people, with their deep historical roots, cultural heritage, and distinct language. He pointed out that rather than fostering new developments, successive governments have preferred to exploit the existing resources and values of the Kurdish population: "For those in power, it has always been easier to establish their dominance by exploiting the values and labor of a community like the Kurds rather than creating something new. The Kurdish people, with their strong spirit and cultural depth, present an easy target for those seeking to maintain control and assert authority over a region."

Turkish nation-state prefers to attack

Pointing out the character of the Turkish nation-state, which is built upon the denial of the Kurdish people, Demir continued: "The Turkish nation-state prefers to attack rather than recognize the legitimate and natural rights of the Kurdish people. During a period when an atmosphere for negotiation was created, trustees were appointed to the Esenyurt Municipality and the co-mayors elected by the Kurdish people through a referendum, as well as to the municipalities that had proven this will in local elections. Through these special war policies, Turkey’s people, working class, women, youth, and all living beings have been harmed for centuries. The Turkish nation-state has ignored not only the Kurdish people but also other peoples of this country; these peoples have entered a process of destruction through assimilation. We, as construction workers, clearly reject this policy of destruction and denial."

Impact of trustees on labor migration

Demir noted that one of the reasons for increased migration from Kurdish regions is also the direct result of these trustee policies. He said: “By sidelining local Kurdish laborers and bringing in workers from elsewhere, the trustees are effectively displacing local communities, stripping them of their livelihoods, and compelling them to leave their homeland in search of work.

The trustees systematically remove local Kurdish workers from their jobs, replacing them with workers brought in from provinces like Trabzon, Artvin, Konya, and Sinop. The policy of trustees is driving this migration by creating economic crises and deliberately excluding local workers. On one side, resources are being wasted on lavish spending, while on the other side, dismissed workers are left to face poverty. Therefore, workers must organize in the name of collective struggle. It is the responsibility of every individual with a conscience to not turn a blind eye to this truth."