[1] The strikes in Constantinople and Thrace began in August, and in September and October of 1908 reached large dimensions and spread to Smyrna and Adrianople.
The fact that the strikes started right after the proclamation of the second constitution were the result of the Young Turks unfulfilled promises to the workers about improvement of working conditions before the revolution.
Afterwards, it was announced that railway, water, gas, electricity, tram, dock, port workers and their employees, who were against social interests, would not be able to strike.
According to these prohibitions, a strike ban has been imposed on those who work in the interests of the human community in the society.
A ban on establishing unions has been introduced in workplaces that perform services of general interest.
A union must represent at least 10% of Turkish employees to be recognized as a bargaining agent, and workers in the education, national defense, sanitation, and utilities industries are banned from striking.
The Labor Act bans discrimination based on sex, religion, or political affiliation, and mandates that employees should only be terminated with "valid cause".
In spite of this, illegal child labor is not uncommon,[6] especially among poor families and in rural areas.