HAK-İŞ tax statement: Tax more from those who earn more, less from those who earn less

HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan made statements to members of the press at the HAK-İŞ Headquarters as part of the confederation's 48th anniversary.

Speaking about the establishment and activities of HAK-İŞ, Arslan stated that their membership exceeds 825 thousand, but they do not consider this sufficient and will work to increase this number.

Stating that HAK-İŞ has acted responsibly in the face of the economic problems Turkey is experiencing, Arslan said they have not shied away from taking risks to protect the rights of workers.

Recalling that they attended the Tripartite Advisory Board meeting at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security yesterday, Arslan reported that they conveyed their demands to Minister Vedat Işıkhan, including the collective bargaining system, the inclusion of municipalities and municipal companies within the scope of the Public Framework Protocol, the permanent hiring of subcontracted workers, the extension of the additional bonus granted to public workers under Law No. 6772 to municipal company employees, and the ability for temporary seasonal workers to work for 12 months.

"WE NEED A FUNDAMENTAL TAX REFORM"

Arslan expressed that the tax system in Turkey is neither fair nor equitable and continued as follows:

"The state only collects taxes from what it catches. Unfortunately, we still have over 30 percent informal employment. At the same time, we have undocumented immigrant workers. In our country, there is not enough effort being made regarding tax audits and the fight against the informal economy. We need legislative changes both to prevent informality and to pave the way for union organization. We continue to insist that taxes be fixed during crisis periods and that the taxes of workers, laborers, and wage earners be capped at 10 percent during these times to ensure we emerge from the crisis with minimal damage. While doing this, we also want to express that we need a fundamental tax reform. In particular, we want a model introduced to our country that taxes those who earn more at a higher rate and those who earn less at a lower rate, while also taking family obligations into account."

Noting that they do not accept paying more indirect taxes than direct taxes, Arslan pointed out that there can never be a fair system with indirect taxes.

Arslan stated that Turkey must succeed in a model where indirect taxes, especially VAT, are minimized and direct taxes are prioritized.

Pointing out that the realization of the targets in the Medium-Term Program is most important for workers, Arslan said, "The mediation system introduced to reduce the burden on courts regarding worker claims has turned into a model where workers' rights, especially severance pay, are largely taken away. We have never accepted this, and we will continue to talk about it."

"WE NEED TO BUILD A MORE PARTICIPATORY MINIMUM WAGE DETERMINATION COMMISSION"

Stating that the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission is neither inclusive nor participatory, Arslan explained that they never accept this model, which is far from representing Turkey.

Arslan said, "We need to build a model for the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission that is more participatory, inclusive, and broadly representative of workers from start to finish. This is needed both for us, for all laborers, and to strengthen the hand of our confederation participating in this commission."

Stating that increasing the minimum wage above inflation is a great opportunity for those working for minimum wage and that they support this, Arslan said, "However, in the collective bargaining system, the wages of our employees who earn just slightly above the minimum wage are becoming almost the same as the minimum wage. This actually puts us face-to-face with a danger that will destroy Turkey's collective bargaining system. The fact that what workers have achieved in collective bargaining over years of union membership has fallen to the minimum wage level in one fell swoop is one of the most serious obstacles to union organization. Therefore, we need a model where, when the minimum wage increases, the rights of workers in the collective bargaining system are also increased at least at the level of the minimum wage, both in the public and private sectors, in parallel with the minimum wage."

Emphasizing that the minimum wage, which is the average wage in Turkey, should actually be an exceptional wage, Arslan said, "We demand that the minimum wage be increased more during high inflation. We truly want that segment of society to be supported in every way."

"There are very serious difficulties in accessing severance pay"

Arslan stated that the current severance pay legislation is an inadequate regulation for the Turkish labor movement and said that earned severance pay cannot be collected to a large extent.

Underlining that there are very serious difficulties in accessing severance pay in Turkey, Arslan said, "We cannot say that the severance pay legislation is good, satisfies us, or is sufficient. The severance pay regulation is extremely inadequate and does not represent workers, with the additional obstacles brought by the September 12 coup plotters."

Arslan said, "Whether they resign or not, whether they are fired for any reason or not, the severance pay rights of all workers must be protected. It is possible to do this with a regulation."

"A Mavi Marmara-like aid movement should be launched"

Touching upon Israel's attacks on Gaza, Arslan said that as HAK-İŞ, their support for Palestine will continue until the occupation of Palestine ends and an independent and free Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem is established.

Stating that their Palestinian counterparts called them and asked for financial support to meet some of their needs, Arslan said that the state is working on aid, but non-governmental organizations should also launch aid campaigns on this issue.

Pointing out that an aid movement similar to the Mavi Marmara could be launched, Arslan noted that they have decided as HAK-İŞ to make a donation of 500 thousand liras in the first stage to the donation campaign to be organized.

News Source: 12punto