Turkey’s public sector workers union says its members will hold a two-day strike to protest against what it called “state terror” against anti-government demonstrations
Strike action will affect schools, universities and public offices, while Prime Minister Erdogan is absent on a four day foreign trip.
The strike, starting on Tuesday, comes as the fourth day of mass protests continued in Istanbul and Ankara.
The strike by the 240,000-member Confederation of Public Workers’ Unions (KESK) is likely to affect schools, universities and public offices throughout the country.
“The state terror implemented against entirely peaceful protests is continuing in a way that threatens civilians’ life safety,” KESK said in a statement on its website.
In Ankara, the doctors’ union said that over 400 civilians had been injured, some with serious head wounds.
More than 1,700 people were arrested in the unrest nationwide, although most have since been released.
The Prime Minister blamed the main secular opposition party for inciting the crowds and said the protests were aimed at depriving his ruling AK Party of votes as elections begin next year.
Demonstrations started in Istanbul over the proposal to build a shopping mall on one of the last green areas in the city. However, following the brutal actions by police against peaceful protest, public outcry spread across the country.
