Two Turkish unions sparked a backlash after distributing shopping vouchers worth thousands of liras to journalists at press events funded by workers’ subscriptions.

The Mine Workers’ Union (Maden-İş) gave out 3,000 lira vouchers at a July 23 media meeting meant to “thank journalists for amplifying miners’ voices.” Many reporters refused the vouchers, calling them unethical.

On July 29, the Forest Workers’ Union (Öz-Orman İş), known for its pro-government stance, placed 5,000 lira vouchers inside books handed to journalists during a wildfire press briefing. Most returned them, condemning the gesture as inappropriate, while firefighters lack protective gear.

The incidents have fueled criticism over unions prioritizing such “gestures” instead of addressing urgent worker needs.

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