The former workers of a mine of the Uyar Mining company have been fighting for compensation for years. Together with the independent trade union Maden-Iş, mine workers set off from Manisa to Ankara on Sunday. The mine had been closed in 2011 due to major safety deficiencies, and many workers had already been laid off before that. 743 of them are still waiting for compensation.

The workers, who wanted to make a press statement in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, were stopped by police at the entrance to Ankara.

"We are determined and we are fighting for our rights"

The workers stopped by police wear yellow vests that read "We are not slaves, we want equal rights," and they chant, "There is death, but no turning back." A statement from the union on Twitter said, "We have made it clear, no one should stop us. We have said over and over that we have no choice. We are determined, we are pursuing our rights. Ankara is our only way, we are coming. We have waited 15 years, we will not wait another 15 hours. We are determined, let everyone hear us."

"We will not turn back"

Worker Idris Sarıkaya stated, "How many times do you want us to come? There have been promises over and over again, but nothing has happened. We don't trust your word anymore. We will not leave Ankara until we get our right. You say, 'You will not come to Ankara.' It has been 15 years now, how many more years should we wait? Deputies, you swore on justice, and if you respect justice, you will pay for the price of this destroyed hope. We don't want charity. We will not turn back."

The workers declared they are determined to continue to Ankara and started a sit-in strike in front of the police cordon.