Signed and sealed: Public sector austerity measures enter into force

One of the steps taken by the government to halt the negative trend of inflation has been the implementation of austerity measures in the public sector.

The austerity package, announced by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, has been published in the Official Gazette with the signature of AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan.

The austerity measures package, from which defense and security services will be exempt, includes the following headings:

Except for defense and security services, public institutions will terminate personnel shuttle services in areas where public transportation is available.

Personnel shuttle services provided through service procurement will continue until the contract period expires.

Public vehicles will be converted to domestic and electric vehicles. To this end, electric vehicles may be purchased on the condition that existing vehicles are liquidated.

Existing leased vehicles of public institutions will not be re-leased without permission once the contract period expires.

Vehicles belonging to foundations, associations, funds, banks, unions, companies, individuals, and similar organizations or persons will not be used by public institutions in any way without permission.

A maximum of 3 vehicles may be used for official duties in ministries.

The right to a mobile phone will be limited to the Vice President, ministers, heads of high judicial bodies, governors, mayors, and top-level executives.

Public institutions will not be able to place advertisements or announcements in media outlets, except for promotions directly related to their activities.

Public personnel will not be employed in a way that earns overtime or shift pay, except in mandatory circumstances.

Annual paid leave periods must be utilized within the relevant year. Accumulated leave from the past must be utilized within 3 years.

Clothing assistance to be provided to civil servants as per the collective bargaining agreement will be provided in kind. Instruments such as checks or coupons will not be used for clothing support. No cash payments will be made.

Miles earned on flights where the ticket price is paid by the civil servant's institution will be used by the institutions.

As of today, all goods and service procurement and construction tenders for which contracts have not been signed will be reviewed. Tenders that do not comply with the provisions of the circular will be canceled.

For work and transactions that began before the circular, new permission must be obtained within 3 months.

News Source: 12punto