Iron and steel workers acquiring a factory in exchange for a single coin: a genuine people’s sector

Abstract

ABSTRACT The iron and steel industry, a cornerstone of industrialization, is vital for economic growth and infrastructure development, particularly in Turkey, where it has been central to industrial policy. This study explores how the Karabük Iron and Steel Factories, known as ‘the factory of factories,’ were transferred to workers for a symbolic price of 1 Turkish Lira (TL) following worker protests against privatization. The study focuses on the strong labor movement and social cohesion among the iron and steel workforce, using the 8 November 1994, protests as a case study. It evaluates how the structural characteristics, societal concerns, and outcomes of these protests differ from other labor movements. By highlighting these differences, the study aims to contribute to the literature on labor movements and protest dynamics. The November 8 protests were significant in raising awareness of workers’ rights and union struggles through media and public attention, while also shedding light on the state and public authorities’ strategies for maintaining social order. Moreover, the study links the achievements of these protests to the concept of the people’s sector. One key conclusion is the relationship between the iron and steel sector and the people’s sector, emphasizing the role iron and steel workers have played in fostering social stability and solidarity.