On the 76th day of the workers' protest against the proposed privatisation of the Yatağan Thermal Power Station, union representatives spoke to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan.

After weeks of action at the Yatağan Thermal Power Station calling for a halt to the privatisation process representatives of the Yatağan branches of Tes İş and Maden İş held a meeting with PM Erdoğan, who is in the province of Muğla for a series of inauguration ceremonies, explaining the demands of the workers.

The meeting in Marmaris was also attended by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız, Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu, Deputy Minister of Health Agah Kafkas, local AKP representatives and a worker from the Yatağan Power Station.

While Erdoğan said that there was only a possibility that the privatisation might be cancelled, Maden İş Yatağan Branch President Süleyman Girgin said that the meeting had been positive from the point of view of the power plant and the workers. The workers cancelled their planned protest at the Prime Minister's rally in Milas, but will continue their protest outside the power station.

‘PRIVATISATION MUST STOP'

At the meeting Maden İş Yatağan Branch President Süleyman Girgin told the PM that the workers and local people were opposed to the privatisation of the power station, reminding him of the energy crisis of 2007, and adding that in the event of energy being left in the hands of the private sector the people could end up in the dark. Girgin called for investment in the plant and recruitment of workers in order for the sector to develop.

CANCELLATION A POSSIBILITY

In response to the trade unionists, PM Erdoğan said: “We have a programme for the state to withdraw from the economy and it is not possible for us to retrace our steps. However, if by 24 January, the final date for tenders, we have not received a bid that meets the requirements of the project, then, and only then, may we cancel or postpone the tender process.”

‘WE HAVE SEEN A GLIMMER OF HOPE'
After the meeting the trade union representatives addressed the workers and their families outside the power station who had waited long into the evening for the meeting to end. Süleyman Girgin told the crowd: “We have seen a glimmer of hope, because politicians can only say so much. Success will depend on your maintaining your protest.”

‘WE WILL INTENSIFY THE LIGHT WITH OUR STRUGGLE'

Girgin added that along with Tes İş Yatağan Branch President Fatih Erçelik they would meet their responsibilities. He said: “If we are taken in by these words and end our action we would be mistaken. We do not want to extinguish this light by going to the rally in Milas tomorrow, but we want to enlarge the light until the tenders are cancelled. As long as our determined solidarity continues no one can stop us. We expect to see all our colleagues with their families here on Sunday.”