Proceedings of the 41st International Academic Conference, Venice

VOICES FROM THE PAST: WORKING CONDITIONS IN ZONGULDAK COAL BASIN DURING 1950’S

AYCA ERINC YILDIRIM

Abstract:

Zonguldak has a special importance in terms of labor history. The emergence of wage labor life in the city goes back to the Ottoman period. The demand on coal as a source of energy, has brought Zonguldak forward both in the Ottoman and Turkish Republican eras. Yet, the characteristics of the area have caused formations different than the mining experiences of the West European countries; the production in the mines were conducted by the rotational workers called as “worker-peasant” who worked in cycles largely set according to the sowing and harvest times. This type of production has totally effected the miner’s both living and working conditions. The main aim of this research is to investigate the effects of the new socio-economical atmosphere of the post Second World War Era on the mine workers in Zonguldak. How the historical period between 1946-62 led to a transformation in the working and living conditions of mine workers, is the core issue of this study. The working system in the mines of Zonguldak and the methods of struggle that the miners have developed against the working conditions will also be among the main topics of this research.

Keywords: Zonguldak, labor history, mine worker, working life, daily life

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2018.041.031

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