ANKARA
A number of Turkish unions and union confederations began a strike Monday to show their support for Taksim Gezi Park protests.
Among the unions were The Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Trade Unions (DISK), Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK), Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), Turkish Doctors' Union (TTB), Turkish Dental Association (TDB).
Demonstrators rallied at noon in the Turkish capital of Ankara chanting slogans in support of the Taksim protests.
"Prime minister and the government should do what the Taksim Platform demands, if peace is expected," DISK chairman Kani Beko said, adding that they would keep on the protests until their demands were agreed by the government.
"There is an excessive use of force by police in Turkey against legitimate requests," claimed Secretary General of TTB Beyazid Ilhan criticising the police tactics in Taksim Gezi Park protests to disperse protesters.
On the other hand, Confederation of Unions of Civil Servants (MEMUR-SEN) criticised the strike, saying the strike "only helps the international pro-coup mindset."
MEMUR-SEN said in a statement that the Gezi Park protests turned into plot to overthrow the government in undemocratic ways.
Stating that the protests all served for "interest rate lobbies", MEMUR-SEN said, "We agree with the legal strikes and actions of civil disobedience of all the unions and non-profit organisations in Turkey. However, Taksim protests have lost their legitimacy destroying our country in every field including economy and tourism. We call for an end to the protests before they do more harm to our country and people."
