First comment from new CHP Mayor Bozbey in Bursa to the former AKP administration: 'Ghost employee' severance pay

CHP Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey attended an iftar program organized by the Rights and Freedoms Movement. In addition to Bozbey, Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın, Nilüfer Mayor Şadi Özdemir, Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç, CHP Bursa Provincial Chair Nihat Yeşiltaş, and CHP Bursa deputies Kayıhan Pala and Hasan Öztürk were also present at the iftar program.

Speaking at the program, Bozbey stated that the former AKP Metropolitan Municipality administration had moved to terminate the employment contracts of individuals suspected of being "ghost employees" and pay their severance.

Bozbey said the following in his speech:

"The events that have unfolded over the last few days, the last day or two, are truly saddening. Ultimately, continuity in the state is essential; we believe in this. At the same time, certain actions and transactions should not be carried out based on the election results. I mean, public funds are, of course, taxes and salaries; especially on Friday, it is essential that the salaries of all our workers and all our employees, as well as any legally entitled payments, are paid. These need to be paid. However, besides this, we are hearing things, and what is being conveyed to us is upsetting. What is upsetting is this: look, the rights of some individuals who are likely thought to be ghost employees are being terminated, and they are moving to pay their severance immediately. It is upsetting that they are being called in and told things like, 'They will fire you from here tomorrow. Come and sign now. Take your severance and leave.' We trust each and every one of our employees. However, it is impossible for us to accept such an action. The Supreme Election Council will most likely issue the certificate of election on Thursday or Friday. So, after that, we would of course like to work with those colleagues. However, we do not find it legally or morally right to carry out such transactions as if smuggling goods from a fire, and there are other matters, of course. There are other issues as well. I hope someone puts a stop to this, someone says 'don't do this,' and I hope we see an understanding of 'we are handing over a clean municipality' once we arrive. We will share all of these with the public anyway. I hope they pay attention to these, I say."