Failures of Turkish Contractors in Media Spotlight

In a survey conducted by the Turkey Contractors’ Union (TBM), it was discovered that the first things that pop into a person’s mind when asked what words they associate with ‘contractor’ were the words ‘earthquake’ and ‘fraud’. TMB President Nihat Ozdemir said, ‘The situation makes us sad. There are friends who are ashamed to say they are contractors and they insist that they do not deserve this."

The latest incidents concerned Turkish contractors working both locally and abroad. After the collapse of the building constructed by a Turkish company in Moscow, a concerned atmosphere befell the sector. Contractors had been trying to compensate for the shrinking domestic market by expanding into the foreign market. According to information sent to the TMB, contractors working abroad expressed their concerns to the union. Some contractors have mentioned that they can hardly collect their money for their finished works.

It is stated that since the news of collapsed roof at the Moscow water park was reported by the world media the negative impact on the image of Turkish contractors was intensified. According to the TMB, Turkish contractors with the most developed technology build every kind of infrastructure: highways, tunnels, bridges, ports, airports, refineries, pipelines and commercial buildings.