'The AKP should start by shaking itself and its ministries': Harsh criticism from CHP's Taşçıer

CHP's Taşçıer, in her speech at the TBMM General Assembly regarding the Ministry of Labor and Social Security budget, harshly criticized the government, stating, “You have brought retirees to a level of misery. Assad did not determine the pension accrual rate. The Israeli government did not pass Law No. 5510.”

Speaking on the Ministry of Labor and Social Security budget, CHP Deputy Chair and Ankara MP Gamze Taşçıer pointed out that the minimum wage is determined not by the Determination Commission, but by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and said the following:

"You have turned the minimum wage into the general wage. By pulling other salaries down to its level, you have equalized millions in misery. That is why everyone will be talking about the minimum wage for a month, but the commission tasked with determining the minimum wage will not discuss this figure, because the commission is anti-democratic. It is under the hegemony of the government, and everyone knows that your Chairman will make the decision.

"THE COIN PROBABLY LANDS ON ITS EDGE EVERY TIME"

The Central Bank and TUIK are the country's biggest betting agencies. For 13 years, the Central Bank has essentially been flipping a coin over inflation. The coin probably lands on its edge every time, as it has never been able to get the inflation calculation right. TUIK, on the other hand, steals from the public's pockets with doctored data, but we have never seen anyone put on trial.

The result is clear; it is not meat that is boiling in the citizen's kitchen, but trouble. You have made it so that retirees cannot even approach the poverty line. The lowest pension has remained 81 percent below the poverty line.

You are the ones who brought pensions to today's level of misery. The Israeli government did not pass Law No. 5510. The Assad regime did not set the pension accrual rate at 35 percent. Hans from Germany, who envies us, did not reduce the welfare share given from growth to 30 percent. Your government's signature is on all of them. You have brought civil servant retirees to a level of chronic poverty.

"YOU NEED TO START SHAKING"

You suddenly remembered the SGK (Social Security Institution) premium debts that everyone has known about for years but which did not cross your mind until the March 31 elections. You went after this 3 percent debt. You ignored the remaining 97 percent and went after the municipalities that provide public services.

The SGK signed a 1-year rental contract and granted usage rights for 45 years without looking at the market value. The number of enforcement files has exceeded 4 million, and only 36 percent have been collected. In exchange for a 4 billion lira debt, 1,636 properties were seized, and only 8 percent have been sold. Mr. Minister, as the President says, ‘shake up the opposition municipalities.’ You need to start shaking yourselves and your own ministry first.

The 3 major confederations have been in the squares for months. If you have no shame before the people, at least fear God. You are collecting taxes that you cannot collect from the shameless, from the poor who have no income. At what point did you become so alienated from the justice in your name?”