After 16 days, BBC Istanbul employees’ strike results in 32 percent pay rise

BBC Istanbul Bureau's journalists have secured a 32 percent rise in their wages following a sixteen-day strike. The last strike in the media sector in Turkey had taken place in 2009.

Monday January 31 2022 02:16 pm

Duvar English

Following a sixteen-day strike, BBC Istanbul Bureau's journalists have secured a 32 percent rise in their wages. Amidst sky-high inflation, journalists were previously offered a 20 percent raise by the company.

The journalists went on a strike on Jan. 14 due to a disagreement of collective bargaining talks. They were supported by journalists across Turkey.

This was the first time that a strike occurred in a media outlet in Turkey in the last 13 years. The last media strike in Turkey had occurred in 2009.

After more than two weeks, the Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) announced that they had reached an agreement with the BBC management in London.

Their statement declared that BBC journalists secured a 32 percent rise in their wages as well as private health insurance including their family members.

“This success achieved by the employees of the BBC Istanbul Bureau is only the beginning. We know that the motivation and morale provided by the strike will encourage our colleagues, who are exposed to insecurity, low wages and poor working conditions in the entire media sector," the statement said.

The statement also thanked everyone who supported the protest.