Press Statement

CULTURE WORKERS' UNION PRESS STATEMENT

As the Culture Workers' Union, we are defenders of an environment in which art is produced freely and workers' rights are protected.

In a long-established art institution such as the State Theatres — particularly at the Ankara State Theatre — certain women artists are being subjected to systematic pressure and mobbing by the general directorate. As a result of this pressure, women artists are being discredited and victimised. This situation damages the democratic spirit of art and makes the State Theatre a subject of public controversy.

The investigations opened against women artists, the cuts made to their incentive bonuses, their being summoned repeatedly to give statements in connection with files submitted to the Inspection Board, the arbitrary refusal of their permissions for engagements outside the institution, and the referral of incidents alleged to have occurred within the institution to the judicial authorities instead of being handled under internal disciplinary provisions, create an unacceptable situation.

Through these and many similar practices, women artists are being targeted, their motivation is being broken and their labour is being devalued. Instead of establishing dialogue with these women performers, as befits an art institution, the General Directorate of the State Theatres is pursuing a policy of punishment.

The Culture Workers' Union protests these rights violations and declares that it will stand behind its women members.