The strike by cafeteria workers at the Çapa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul has reached its eleventh day. Criticizing the daily wage employment system in the public sector, these workers hold the university management directly responsible for the current conditions.
Continued Resistance on the Eleventh Day
The protests by cafeteria workers at Çapa Faculty of Medicine (Istanbul University) have now entered their eleventh day. These workers, who operate under difficult working conditions without job security, have gathered on the university campus to demand their legal rights. According to published reports, this strike was formed not only to improve wages but also to gain recognition for basic human rights in the workplace [1].
Critique of the Daily Wage Employment System in Public Institutions
One of the main focuses of this protest is the use of the "daily wage worker" system in a public institution. Workers believe that hiring on a daily wage basis in the public sector is a form of modern exploitation that deprives them of all insurance, pension, and job security benefits. Workers' representatives have stated that working in the university cafeteria is a continuous job and should not be replaced by temporary and daily contracts [2]. This situation has resulted in workers receiving no support even in cases of illness or workplace accidents.
Legal Responsibility of Istanbul University
Protesters emphasize that the management of Istanbul University cannot evade responsibility by using subcontracting companies as an excuse. According to labor laws, the main employer (in this case, the university) has joint responsibility for the rights of workers employed in its subsidiary units [3]. Workers mentioned in their statements that the university must directly supervise working conditions and not allow contractors to trample on workers' rights. The main slogan of the eleventh day was: "The university cannot escape responsibility" [1].
Union Solidarity and Next Steps
In recent days, several labor unions and student organizations have joined the ranks of the protesters. Widespread social support indicates the depth of dissatisfaction with the subcontracting system in Turkey. Workers have announced that they will continue their strike until the university management takes practical steps to change the employment status and guarantee regular payments [2]. This stand comes as administrative pressure to end the strike has increased, but workers emphasize their unity [3].
Çapa cafeteria workers demand a change in the employment system on the 11th day of their strike.
linkSources
- Çapa’da yemekhane işçilerinin direnişi 11. gününde: Kamuda yevmiyeci çalıştırılıyor — Evrensel.net (2026-07-20)
- İstanbul Üniversitesi'nde taşeron işçi eylemi: Haklarımızı istiyoruz — Gazete Duvar (2026-07-18)
- Çapa Tıp Fakültesi işçileri direniyor: Üniversite sorumluluktan kaçamaz — Sol Haber (2026-07-19)
