Transformation of rural labor relations: The case of Şebinkarahisar pestil-köme enterprises

In Şebinkarahisar, a rural settlement, there has been an increase in the number of pestil-köme enterprises in recent years due to the commoditization of pestil-köme and derivative products produced from local products (mulberry, walnut, honey, hazelnut) and the commoditization of these commoditized products in national and international markets. Based on the example of Şebinkarahisar, this research aims to understand the effects of small enterprises on rural social structure (the effects of pestil-köme enterprises on rural transformation) and the labor relations between workers and employers in these enterprises. In order to understand the socio-economic transformation in Şebinkarahisar, Henry Bernstein's concept of "small commodity producer" was used to understand the class differentiation of pestil-köme operators and the workers employed in this enterprise. John W. Budd's theory of "A Humane Labor Relationship" was utilized to understand the state of employee-employer relations in pestil-köme enterprises. Since the labor relations of pestil-köme operators and the wage workers working in these enterprises are tried to be understood within the social conditions in which they live, from their point of view and from their experiences, this research was conducted with qualitative research method. In order to collect data from business owners and workers, two separate semi-structured interview forms were prepared, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 business owners and 21 workers using maximum diversity and snowball sampling techniques, and the data obtained were analyzed with descriptive analysis and thematic analysis approaches. When the data obtained were evaluated, it was understood that pestil-köme enterprise owners in Şebinkarahisar differed from each other according to the ownership of production tools and the employment of paid workers. It was also found that the wage workers working in the enterprises differed from each other in terms of working in the enterprise permanently or working as daily workers. The findings of the research show that the participation of housewives in paid work not only creates a double work burden for them, but also leads to changes in women's roles within the family, increases the economic welfare of the family and makes women more independent individuals as they start earning money. When the data obtained in terms of employee-employer relations are evaluated, it is understood that labor relations differ according to enterprises. It was observed that business owners resorted to practices such as quota system, low wages, employing uninsured workers, not recognizing the right to annual paid leave, and employing daily workers in order to increase the productivity of the enterprise. The reason why workers continue to work in precarious working conditions is that job opportunities are limited in Şebinkarahisar and workers are not aware of their labor rights. Keywords: Şebinkarahisar, rural development, labor relations, Henry Bernstein, John W. Budd, pestil-köme enterprises.