Erdoğan pushes the button, move initiated: Minister Işıkhan speaks out after the 'pay your SGK debts' call to CHP

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that debt notifications have been sent to municipalities.

Işıkhan stated that the total premium debt of municipalities to the Social Security Institution (SGK) has reached 96 billion liras, adding, "Whatever needs to be done at this point must be addressed in accordance with the procedure. The premium debts owed to the SGK must be collected as soon as possible."

Pointing out that the ability to make expenditures and payments depends on the regular and complete collection of insurance premiums, which are the main source of income for the SGK, Işıkhan noted the following:

"Before the March 31 local elections, we drew attention to the fact that there were municipalities with accumulated premium debts to the SGK and issued a call for them to pay their debts. We did not leave this as mere words; through the SGK, we sent debt notifications to all indebted municipalities, regardless of their party affiliation. Some municipalities took our calls into account and showed the will to pay their debts. I thank them for this. However, despite all these warnings, the number of municipalities that have still not taken action is unfortunately quite high."

'80 PERCENT OF THE DEBT BELONGS TO MUNICIPAL COMPANIES'

Emphasizing that after all warnings, the SGK must collect its receivables as prescribed by law, Işıkhan continued his words as follows:

"Of course, this is not a path we prefer, but the premium debts of the relevant municipalities have increased and are growing every day. Whatever needs to be done at this point must be addressed in accordance with the procedure. The premium debts owed to the SGK must be collected as soon as possible. As of today, the total premium debt of municipalities has reached 96 billion liras, and 80 percent of this debt belongs to municipal companies. In essence, this is a national resource. It is a natural source of income that our citizens have contributed to the budget by working, producing, and through the sweat of their brows. And it is a resource that should be used for the benefit of our citizens again. It is never a correct approach to transfer these funds to other items by not paying insurance premiums, which are the compensation for the labor of municipal employees and their future investments."

Expressing that as a ministry, they are working not only to protect labor but also to prevent the exploitation of labor, Işıkhan said, "Our goal is to increase the premium revenues of the SGK by collecting premium debts, combating informality, and increasing employment, and to provide better services to our citizens, especially our retirees. We are working for both the revival and sustainability of a social foundation that is vital for the state and the nation, such as social security."

"OUR DESIRE IS TO MANAGE THE COLLECTION PROCESS SMOOTHLY"

Calling on indebted municipalities for cooperation, Işıkhan stated, "We are ready to provide all kinds of support to municipalities regarding the restructuring of debts owed to the SGK and the creation of payment plans. In this regard, our desire is to manage the collection process smoothly and in the easiest way possible."

Touching upon the importance of the social security system, Işıkhan said the following:

"As citizens of this country, we all need to understand very well the necessity of this process so that the SGK can become a healthier, stronger institution. Protecting the financial structure of our social security system and looking to the future with confidence is our collective responsibility. There is no 'you' or 'I', there is 'us'. We must not forget that we are all in the same boat. The great ship of Turkey has much more distance to cover and many more horizons to cross with all of our support and harmony. I believe that if everyone does their part properly at this point, we will successfully reach all of our goals."

WHAT DID ERDOĞAN SAY

Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting yesterday, President Erdoğan addressed CHP leader Özgür Özel, saying, "If you want to be of benefit to retirees, give instructions for your municipalities to pay their accumulated debts to the Social Security Institution. Our Ministry of Treasury and Finance will begin collecting the municipalities' debts at the source."

News Source: 12punto