Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Historical Materialism Conference: Rethinking Rationalities and Irrationalities within the Times of Crisis and Radical Transformations, İstanbul, Türkiye, 5 - 07 Nisan 2024, ss.90
As the AKP solidifies a right-wing authoritarian regime and accelerates neoliberalization, understanding the intricate mechanisms of its neoliberal authoritarian statecraft at the grassroots level becomes crucial. This paper seeks to fill existing gaps in knowledge by employing a micro-level lens to scrutinize the legal, illegal, and extra-legal methods deployed by the AKP to undermine the labor movement.
While ample research has elucidated the overarching impact of AKP's rule on the deterioration of democratic rights and the labor landscape, our focus is on uncovering the nuanced tactics employed on the ground level. The paper is rooted in fieldwork, employing participant observation in the industrial zones of Manisa and Tekirdağ. Through semi-structured interviews with vanguard workers, trade union officials, and labor lawyers, we aim to shed light on the recent union-busting strategies employed by the government and employers in the face of an increasingly authoritarian environment.
Our analysis commences by examining how the AKP adeptly utilized the 2016 coup attempt and the subsequent state of emergency to further weaken judicial institutions and criminalize political opposition, contributing to the erosion of labor rights. Subsequently, we delve into the intensified and diversified union-busting practices witnessed in our case studies during the post-coup attempt period, providing vivid experiences illuminating contemporary anti-labor measures.
Central to our focus is the presentation of on-the-ground experiences, showcasing not only the challenges workers face in unionizing but also their resilience, self-organizing capacities, and counterstrategies. The findings emphasize the relevance of the labor movement as a source and potential for broader anti-authoritarian struggles.