Definition
Worker self-management in Turkey refers to experiences in which workers establish direct control over the means of production and the management of enterprises, organising decision-making processes collectively.
Scope
Such experiences typically emerge in the context of crises, closures, or layoffs, taking shape through workers’ efforts to take over enterprises and sustain production.
Distinction
Worker self-management experiences in Turkey have emerged within a different historical and institutional context compared to those in Latin America and have generally remained short-lived and isolated. This is closely related to organisational traditions, the legal framework, and political conditions.
Historical example
In Turkey, worker self-management experiences appeared in the 1970s (as in the cases of Alpagut and Yeni Çeltek) and after the 2013 Gezi protests (as in the Kazova case). However, these experiences have struggled to develop into stable and widespread practices.
Evaluation
While worker self-management in Turkey represents a potentially significant form of struggle, it remains limited under current conditions. Nevertheless, these experiences offer important insights into alternative forms of production and organisation.