Large-scale Protests in Turkey as Thousands of Doctors and Healthcare Workers Go on Strike

The Turkish Association of Healthcare Workers has announced a one-day strike. This information is reported by RIA Novosti. Participants in the protest are demanding higher salaries, improved working conditions, and the enactment of a law to combat occupational diseases.

The protest was triggered by the Turkish government's withdrawal of a bill from parliament, which aimed to improve the working conditions and salaries of a portion of healthcare workers. Healthcare workers from Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Rize, Gaziantep, Samsun, and other provinces have joined the strike. Hundreds of thousands of Turkish doctors, healthcare workers, and social support staff are calling for better compensation, a reduction in patient load, and increased safety measures.

It is noteworthy that the protest comes amidst the backdrop of a record drop in Turkey's national currency, the lira. Over the past year, the Turkish lira has depreciated by nearly 40 percent.