Labor union urges Turkish Justice Ministry to start immediate COVID-19 testing for all legal workers

A Turkish labor union recently sent a complaint to the Justice Ministry about the courts in the province of Samsun, where legal workers haven't been tested for COVID-19. Noting that many courtrooms fail to buy soap, the union urged immediate widespread testing and better precautions for legal workers.

Duvar English

A labor union recently sent a complaint to the Justice Ministry about the lack of testing for legal workers who aren't judges despite the increase in new diagnoses in the northern province of Samsun, daily Cumhuriyet reported on July 15.

Turkish unions criticize gov’t for neglecting workers’ rights on May Day overshadowed by COVID-19Turkish unions criticize gov’t for neglecting workers’ rights on May Day overshadowed by COVID-19

"Judges in tax courts and executive courts were tested, but none of the staff were," said labor union Türk Büro-Sen in a letter to the Justice Ministry.

Labor representatives also said that some legal workers got tested and were in fact diagnosed with COVID-19.

The union also slammed working conditions, noting the difficulty in keeping safe distances in courts.

Noting that many courtrooms in Samsun fail to buy soap due to "insufficient funds," labor representatives urged immediate widespread testing and better precautions for legal workers.

The Justice Ministry said they would look into the conditions in the province.