What is it about?

The article that served as the source and inspiration for the information presented on this page was originally published under the title “Iron and steel workers acquiring a factory in exchange for a single coin: A genuine people's sector” in “Labor History”, dated 07-2025, Volume 66(4), pp. 525-542. The content below offers informative and explanatory insights that include personal perspectives on the topic. You are welcome to share your questions, comments and suggestions via the contact channels and academic/social platforms listed in the menus on the right. The author(s) expect proper citation of their original work as a recognition of their scholarly contribution published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Therefore, please refrain from citing this page and instead cite the original article. Please note that this text serves primarily as an introduction and expression of viewpoints. Thank you for your understanding. I explore how steelworking, as one of the cornerstones of modern industry, drives economic growth and plays a vital role in infrastructure development. This study looks into a unique moment in Turkish labor history, when Karabük Iron and Steel Works, famously known as "the factory of factories," was handed over to its workers for just 1 Turkish Lira following large-scale protests against privatization. I focus on the events of November 8, 1994, which stand out for their structure, public impact, and long-term outcomes. More than just a protest, it was a movement that reshaped how we think about worker solidarity, public ownership, and social responsibility. Through this work, I aim to highlight the deeper meaning of these events and how they connect to the idea of a “people’s sector,” where workers are not just employees but active stakeholders in national industry.

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Why is it important?

So, here’s why the worker protests at Karabük Iron and Steel Works on November 8, 1994, really matter and why I find this story so fascinating. These protests weren’t just about a bunch of people demanding better wages or working conditions (though that was a big part of it). They showed us how the whole process of privatization can shake the very core of worker rights and class awareness. Basically, this wasn’t just a local labor dispute it was a real-life example of how capitalism impacts people on the ground, especially those whose work literally builds nations. When I dive into it, what really grabs me is how this protest reflects layers of social class not just who earns what, but how people live, what they believe in, and, importantly, how they organize and fight together. The workers in Karabük weren’t just a random crowd; they were a community sharing ideas, culture, and collective power. That’s what makes class consciousness real and meaningful, beyond dry theory. What makes this case extra special is its timing and context. The 90s were a rollercoaster for economies worldwide capitalism was speeding up, privatizations were everywhere, and workers often got caught in the crossfire. The Karabük workers showed that privatization wasn’t just an economic policy; it was a battle over who controls the means of production and what happens to workers’ rights. The fact that they managed to get the factory handed over to them for a symbolic price shows how powerful collective action can be when people truly come together with a strong sense of identity and purpose. And it’s not just about economics or politics. The iron and steel industry has this almost legendary status from being a symbol of industrial power to representing the backbone of modern infrastructure and military strength. So when workers in such a critical industry stand up and push back, their fight echoes far beyond the factory gates. It’s about the soul of a community, the future of a country’s industrial identity, and even the dignity of labor itself. Plus, this protest reminds us how complex the relationship between workers and owners can be. It’s not just “us vs. them.” There are political, social, and economic forces at play from government reforms to global market pressures that shape how these conflicts unfold. Understanding this helps me see why these struggles are about more than money; they’re about justice, survival, and respect in a rapidly changing world. Lastly, what I really appreciate is how this event challenges us to rethink “class consciousness.” It’s not some old-fashioned idea locked in textbooks but a living, breathing reality that can inspire people today. The Karabük protests highlight how workers’ struggles connect to bigger questions about ownership, power, and social change, things that still matter just as much now as they did back then. So yeah, when I look at the Karabük worker protests, I see more than just history. I see lessons about resilience, solidarity, and the ongoing fight to balance capitalism with human dignity. That’s why this story is so important and why it still speaks to me and hopefully to anyone interested in the real human side of economic change.

Perspectives

In my view, ideologies are never just abstract ideas floating in the air, they’re always tied to the hopes and struggles of specific social groups. What really struck me about this is that whether an ideology is “right” or “wrong” isn’t decided just by logical debate; instead, it’s about how well it drives action and change. For me, the real proof of any ideology is in what people do with it. Take the concept of the “people’s sector”, for example. It’s fascinating how this idea isn’t some vague notion but deeply connected to how ordinary workers, small craftsmen, and public employees come together to manage their own economic activities from the ground up not controlled by governments or big corporations. This “from the bottom up” approach is what really sets the people’s sector apart and, in my opinion, makes it such a powerful idea. What really caught my attention is how this sector challenges the usual top-down control in both the private and public sectors. Usually, decisions come from a handful of owners or the state, and workers are just cogs in the machine. But in the people’s sector, workers don’t just labor; they own, manage, and have a real say in how things run which means real industrial democracy is possible. That’s huge, because it flips the script on how economic power and decision-making are traditionally distributed. When I think about the 8 November 1994 Karabük iron and steel workers’ uprising in this light, it feels like a living example of the people’s sector in action. The workers didn’t just protest; they took ownership literally of their factory, securing it for the community at a symbolic price. This isn’t just a labor dispute; it’s a statement that industries can belong to the people who build them, not just to distant owners or governments. What also stands out to me is the way this uprising united an entire city, workers, families, students, public employees, all coming together to say “This factory is ours, and it won’t be shut down.” It wasn’t chaotic or anarchic; it was organized, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in a collective identity and purpose. That’s what makes it so different from typical strikes or protests. Moreover, the people’s sector isn’t just an economic model; it’s a political and social hope. It promises that by spreading ownership and self-management, it can create the conditions for real democracy, both in factories and in society. This idea that economic participation leads to political freedom really resonates with me, especially in times when people feel disconnected from decision-making. In short, what I take from all this is that the people’s sector offers a vision of empowerment that goes beyond paycheck and job security. It’s about workers reclaiming control over their lives and communities. The Karabük protests show that this vision isn’t just theoretical it can happen. And that’s why understanding and learning from these events is so important, not just for Turkey, but for anyone interested in how ordinary people can change their economic destiny. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT IDENTICAL TO THOSE PRESENTED IN THE ORIGINAL STUDY. FOR INFORMATION, COMMENTS, OR SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR.

Ümit Remzi Ergün
Canakkale Onsekiz Mart Universitesi

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This page is a summary of: Iron and steel workers acquiring a factory in exchange for a single coin: a genuine people’s sector, Labor History, October 2024, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/0023656x.2024.2419651.
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