MERSİN - Agricultural worker women, struggling to survive against inequality and labour exploitation, wanted their voices to be heard in the March 8 protests and events that they could not participate in.

 

In the Çukurova Region, where Turkey imports and exports the most in agriculture, seasonal agricultural workers are becoming poorer day by day with precarious working conditions and low daily wages, while companies and states add to their profits. As in every field, women experience the deepest poverty and inequality in agriculture. The women, who start their journey at 04.30 in the morning and continue through a different garden and field every day, are trying to stay afloat. Women, who shuttle between home and garden or field, are struggling against the economic crisis, the bans and gender inequality. The women we spent the day with told our agency about their experiences and labour exploitation. 

 

JOURNEY FROM HOME TO ORANGE GARDEN

 

I get ready at 04.30 in the morning and go out to the dark and deserted street to wait for the vehicle that will take the workers to the garden. Half an hour later, we set off in the minibus, with the women sitting in the back and the men in the front seats. In the field where we arrived at 06.30, there is a concrete picture of gender codes. While the men are waiting for breakfast to be prepared, the women who get out of the vehicle are in a rush for breakfast. While the women first prepare the breakfast table, then clear the table and wash the dishes, the men sit in the corner waiting for their shift to start. Working hours start at 07.30,women, most of whom are under the age of 18, cut the oranges at the foot of the trees with scissors, while the women at the counter where the crates are lined up sift the oranges and fill them into the crates.

 

WORK CONTINUES AT HOME TOO

 

During all this, I meet 21-year-old Zehra Ertem. Ertem, who has been working as an agricultural worker for 9 years, had less school years than her working years. Stating that her education life ended after secondary school, Ertem explains the difficulties of being born as a woman as follows: “Separate work at home and in the garden. We get up at 04.30 and leave home at 05.00. We first set up and clear the breakfast table in the garden we arrived at 06.30. Work starts at around 07.30. The table is set again at 12:00 noon. The work continues when we go home from the garden in the evening. Likewise, set the table, put it away, clean it, wash the dishes, hang the laundry, you see, it's still the same. When we come to the fields in minibuses, we are more uncomfortable because people sit together with men in transit vehicles. Men do not do any work all the hardship falls on us in the field as well as at home.”

 

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HYGIENE

 

Referring to the worker accidents and deaths that frequently come to the public's agenda, Ertem underlines that they have no guarantee. Ertem said that she was injured in a traffic accident and received treatment at home for 10 days, states that no support was provided during this time. 

Stating that they have difficulty especially during menstruation and that their biggest need is hygiene due to being a woman, Ertem said: “We cannot go outside (to the toilet), there is no sink anyway. Even though we try to be as hygienic as we can, the environment is not suitable for this. Sometimes we don't change our pads until we get home. We want a solution to this problem. The state had to find a solution to this, but we did not receive any support. The state does not see women anyway, and especially when agricultural workers are women, their visibility decreases even more. Can they help? Of course, they can. But they don't."

 

8 MARCH CALL

 

Stating that they want to make their voices heard, Ertem makes the following call to women who will fill the fields on March 8, International Women's Day: “Women should support each other. We expect the support of our woman comrades.”

 

'IT IS SUITABLE FOR A WOMAN TO BE DETERMINED'

 

21-year-old Bahar Barış, who came to Mersin from Wan, says that women are the most tired because the workload in gardens and fields is greater. Stating that they made a lump sum rent payment when they came to Mersin, Barış states that they had to work in the existing cycle because they got into debt at work. 

Referring to the problems they experience due to being a woman, Barış said: “We have difficulties because we cannot explain to men during menstruation. We don't say anything anymore because we are used to it. It would be nice if there is a sink because we cannot go to the toilet alone and cannot find a suitable space. A woman must ensure her economic freedom. Of course, every job has difficulties, but people get used to it. I believe that a determined woman can do anything. A woman should not be afraid of anything, no matter what, and should stand on her own feet. The job she does may be difficult, but it suits a woman to be determined."

 

'PERIOD OF MENSTRUATION IS DIFFICULT'

 

Barış's 23-year-old sister, Pınar Barış, also reacts to the fact that her expectations regarding the solution of the problems of agricultural worker women are not met. Barış said: “It is difficult to meet the requirements, but we cannot find a solution. We are not the ones who need to find it. You can't say, 'I'm not coming to work' when you have your period. Toilet is the biggest problem. We also requested but did not receive a response. Some women's families are not here. They have to go home, cook, then come and work. Even though we do the same job as men, we also work at home. This is not fair." 

 

After the day, we get back in the minibus and head home. However, women's work does not end here; it continues at home.

 

TOMORROW: Her business named 'Jiyan' rises from the ashes

 

MA / Yüsra Batıhan