Militancy without Organisational Outcomes: Turkey’s 2022 Non-legal Strike Wave

While there has been a global rise in right-wing populism and authoritarian rule, there has also been an increase in strikes and other forms of labour militancy across various countries. These twin developments highlight the complex dynamics of contemporary social movements, where economic discontent is fuelling both reactionary politics and renewed activism for workers’ rights. This article discusses a surge in strikes that occurred in Turkey in early 2022. The aim is twofold. First, it engages with debates on the organisational forms behind the strikes and interrogates the role of trade unions and trade union ideologies in these industrial actions. Second, it examines the nature and limitations of workers’ militancy in relation to ongoing efforts to build stronger organisations. The article concludes by reflecting on some of the broader implications that this case study holds for debates about contemporary forms of labour organising.