PAME (All Workers Militant Front) expresses its outrage at the new employer’s crime in the mine ofSoma city in western Turkey that killed at least 238 workers, while hundreds of other workers are still remaining trapped in the coal mine.

 The company «SOMA Komur Isletmeleri AS» that owns themine, has criminal responsibility because it didn’t take even the elementary security measures, but also by the fact that it has increased the use of subcontractors an drelentless pressureon workers to produce as much as possible in miserable working conditions.

 According to the representatives of miners, there has been a good collaboration of the company management SOMA (and other groups in this area of activity) with the Government ofTurkey that prevented the adoption and enactment of any legislation to improve working conditions and the expansion of trade union freedoms in many of themines in Turkey, in the supposed name of  “development”.

 PAME(All Workers Militant Front) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the victimsand its solidarity with theTurkish workers in their fight to stop exploitation, to be takenessential security measures for workers and to punish those who are responsible for the employer’scrime.

Athens May 14, 2014

The Executive Secretariat of PAME