The indefinite suspension of the strike following ten days of protests in the Support Programs of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth (YPAN), which took place on Wednesday.
According to a joint statement by the two labor unions, “this is a conscious and responsible collective decision, without any retreat from the workers’ demands” and “if there is no substantial progress in the coming days, the labor unions will reassess the situation and escalate their actions further.”
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“The ten-day struggle, despite the financial sacrifices, highlighted the power of collective action, the importance of Support Programs, and the serious labor issues faced by educators,” the statement emphasizes.
“The workers have taken their own step toward responsibility. Now it is the government’s turn to demonstrate in practice its intention to find a solution,” the statement adds.
It should be noted that employees in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs’ support programs are demanding income security during the summer months, including retroactive coverage for the summer of 2026, so that permanent employees do not remain without a salary and without the right to unemployment benefits.
They are also calling for the immediate completion of the procedures for advertising and hiring staff, so that the Support Programs can be staffed and the prolonged unemployment of employees who have served in them for many years can be ended.
“A meeting is expected to be scheduled with the President of the Republic so that he may be fully briefed on the entire matter and the necessary political decision may be made to immediately resolve these two issues/problems. There is understanding regarding the President’s schedule and obligations, and a few days are being allowed to schedule the requested meeting,” it is emphasized.
“The government and the relevant Ministries of Education, Labor, and Finance have the opportunity to immediately convene a joint meeting with our labor unions, with the aim of reaching an agreement,” it adds.
“Workers are returning to their jobs with their heads held high, their dignity intact, and the determination to continue fighting for what they are entitled to,” the statement notes.
The labor unions express their appreciation and heartfelt thanks “to all our colleagues who participated in the strike and the protests, defending their rights with courage, determination, and dignity.”
They extend special thanks “to the students, the adult learners enrolled in the programs and their families for their understanding, as well as the teachers’ unions POED and OELMEK for their solidarity and support.”
Source: KYPE
