The administration of Turkey’s Dicle University called on all staff members to participate in a meeting to be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who will be in Diyarbakır for a party congress on Saturday, threatening those who do not take part with the withholding of permanent employment status, Sendika.org reported on Saturday.
“Everyone who is not working today must participate in the opening ceremony of a congress to be attended by our President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]. Those who participate must take photos in front of the congress hall and sign [a participation document]. Those who cannot prove their participation will not receive permanent employment status,” said messages sent on Friday by the president of the university, the head of the medical faculty and the supervisors of subcontracted workers.
Staff members were also ordered to participate in Erdoğan’s program with their families.
Ahead of critical elections in 2019, Turkish President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chairman Erdoğan has been participating in local party meetings and addressing people both inside and outside the congress hall.