Although the strike by municipal workers in the Buca district of the city of Izmir (Turkey) is now over, the streets are still covered with rubbish, generating unease and a deep sense of indignation among residents, who feel let down and deceived by the authorities’ management and complain about the bad smells and the accumulation of rubbish in the streets, which poses a health risk and is even causing traffic problems.
Turkish media reported that in Aydın Hatboyu Street, located in the Seyhan neighbourhood and known for its industrial activity, rubbish has accumulated in the streets to the point of forming real ‘mountains’ that hinder the transit of vehicles. Traders and residents in the area have demanded a prompt solution to the problem from the city council, warning of the risks to environmental and health.
“Think about the people. It is the people who elected you. This is not humane. They are spreading diseases“, declared one neighbour. Another added: “This is not an isolated incident; we have been like this for months. They say there is no water left in the dams….. It would be great if they could find a solution to this disgrace. All the traders are complaining”.
A third citizen also criticised the situation: “Not even two cars can pass through here at the same time, we swim in this rubbish. How is it possible that a municipality does not collect the waste? Don’t they charge taxes for rubbish? We suffer this every day,” he commented, adding that the piles of rubbish were paralysing traffic.
Tourists compare Izmir’s streets to those of Delhi
The accumulation of rubbish in this Izmir district is a problem that has been going on for months. A strike launched last June by municipal employees paralysed services in several of the city’s districts – including Buca – to the extent that the metropolitan mayor himself joined groups of volunteers trying to clear the streets of waste.
The municipal authorities then blamed the strike for the accumulation of rubbish; but months later, the problem not only remains unresolved in many parts of the city but seems to be getting worse, threatening the health of citizens and causing a bad image among tourists, who have even compared the streets of Izmir to those of Delhi (India).
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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