Turquía - Police attack union led protest (2012)

On 3 February, police fired water cannon and tear gas to force back thousands of workers and students trying to march on parliament in Ankara in a union-led demonstration against a draft labour law. The workers were protesting against new employment legislation, currently being debated by parliament, which they argue will reduce workers’ rights and allow employers to exploit unregulated labour. The government claimed the law was needed to create a more flexible labour model, and Interior Minister, Besir Atalay, warned the unions that a protest would not be allowed at the parliament. Opposition deputies were supporting the protest.