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Türkiye is set to witness its first major public-sector strike in the ongoing labor dispute, as more than 1,500 workers at state-run boron mining facilities prepare to walk off the job on August 1.
The industrial action follows the collapse of collective bargaining talks covering over 600,000 public employees.
The Türkiye Maden-Is union announced that 1,511 of its members will cease work at three key boron production sites operated by Eti Maden: Kirka in Eskisehir, Emet in Kutahya, and Bigadic in Balıkesir. The sites produce an estimated €1.38 billion ($1.62 billion) worth of boron annually, with all output destined for export markets.
As the facilities operate without stockpiles, the strike is expected to disrupt supply to international buyers.
The strike decision comes after seven months of collective bargaining failed to yield a deal. The government recently withdrew a previous offer based on the realized inflation rate of 16.67% for the second half of 2025, business-focused ekonomim.com reported. Instead, it proposed a lower adjustment of 11% plus an inflation difference.
Unions Turk-Is and Hak-Is, representing public workers, had demanded a base daily wage increase of ₺1,800 ($44.38). Their proposal also included a 50% raise for the first half of 2025 and a 25% increase for the second half.
Currently, the minimum monthly wage for public servants stands at ₺46,990 ($1,906).
Strike notices have also been filed at various mining and railway operations, with further actions planned at other major state-run entities.
According to the Turkish news outlet NTV, the General Directorate of Highways, the State Hydraulic Works, and energy agencies are expected to see strike declarations on July 28 and 29.
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