German workers in Turkey reverse history

Contrary to the 50-year tradition of people migrating from Turkey to Germany for work, 12 Germans have started work on the railway renewal project in the Aegean province of Salihli.

A German joint venture company has undertaken the renewal work on the 60-kilometer rail line in Manisa, where 120,000 meters of rail have already been laid.

Matthias Hoppner, construction supervisor, said Friday that the German workers were happy to work on the construction and that they wished to continue to work in Turkey after the line is complete.

Eulogizing the hospitality of Turkish people, Hoppner said it was their first arrival in Turkey.

Ulaş Sönmez, the project manager of the company, said that in the 60s, their grandfathers rode on trains to Germany and now the Germans arrived in Turkey to work on the railways.

“As a Turkish person, it makes me proud. It shows the greatness and power of our country,” said Sönmez, adding that the construction is being undertaken with high-technology equipment.

“The farmers from Turgutlu district and Manisa show their hospitality to the foreign workers and enable the Germans to adopt positive opinions about the region,” Sönmez said. The workers started speaking some Turkish as well such as “merhaba” (hello), “nasılsın” (how are you).


/Hurriyet Daily News/