The effect of neoliberal policies in Turkey from 1980 to present to the strike and lockout

Strike and lockout movements did especially occupy the world history after industrial revolution. Strike and lockout movements did also affect the Turkish political history, just like they did occupy the world history. Strike is a method used by employees, who are not fond of their income and social rights in economical aspect. It is evident and accepted that, employers implement lockout actions as a defending mechanism against the strike movements of employees. From 1970s to present, the changes in the economic understanding of countries as a result of the globalization concept have affected the strike and lockout movements. The increasing strikes in Turkey between 1970-1980 were a result of employee reaction following the economical, social and psychological downfall in the country. Social polarization did increase and a tense political atmosphere occurred as a result of mentioned period, which can also be called as the peak term of strike and lockout movements. This process did finalize with a coup, which did forbid any union operation. In addition to the experienced political tension, Turkey did also face economic difficulties at that period. In order to overcome both these problems, Turkish government at that time did put 24 January 1980 economic decisions to practice and an important step was taken towards free market economy in Turkey. The delay in economic decisions to affect the general economical situation of Turkey caused not finding a cure for country's political and economic climate in the short run. According to the economic decisions of 24.01.1980, the general goals were to accelerate the privatizations, improve private sector and shape the economic structure parallel to free market economy rules. Turkey's developing economically in the long run with the effect of globalization process and by adopting free market economy did result in income per capita increases, climbing imports and imports, decreasing interest in unions and reducing strikes as well as lockouts in the country