Smart Solar workers halt production in Aliağa over union disputes

Workers at the Smart Güneş Teknolojileri factory in Aliağa, İzmir, have halted production and initiated a strike to protest the dismissal of seven employees. The workers claim the terminations, cited by the company as being due to “departmental surplus,” are a direct retaliation for union organizing.

Approximately 98 percent of the factory's 570 workers recently transitioned from the TES-İŞ union to DİSK Enerji-Sen. Following the dismissals, workers exercised their right to abstain from work on the evening of September 11 and have since maintained a presence both inside and outside the factory.

Representatives from DİSK Enerji-Sen and Birleşik Metal-İş have joined the protest, demanding the reinstatement of the seven workers and an end to union pressure. Union leaders stated that they will continue their democratic struggle until demands for fair working conditions and the protection of union rights are met.