Call for welfare share comes from ruling coalition partner: New formula for civil servant and retiree raises

Millions of civil servants and retirees have their eyes set on the salary increases to take effect in January 2026. While there is a debate over whether a welfare share will be provided in addition to the inflation adjustment, a new statement on the matter has come from the ruling coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

As the expectations of civil servants, whose purchasing power has diminished in the face of double-digit inflation, and retirees, who are struggling to make ends meet with low pensions, continue to rise, it is stated that the raise rates have largely become clear with the five-month inflation data. Despite this, assessments that the announced rates will remain insufficient continue to occupy the public agenda.

THE CALL CAME FROM A PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE PARTNER

Speaking on behalf of the People's Alliance partner MHP, Mustafa Kalaycı, a member of the TBMM Planning and Budget Committee and MHP Konya Deputy, drew attention to the problems experienced in the bureaucracy during his evaluation at the committee. Kalaycı emphasized that human resources are the determining factor in the success of management systems.

Continuing his speech by turning to the AKP benches, Kalaycı stated that the principle of merit in public administration must be strengthened.

Expressing that there are problems in the implementation of merit, which is one of the fundamental principles of the Civil Servants Law, Kalaycı said, "A merit board should be established as a structure to ensure merit." With this statement, criticisms regarding appointment processes in the public sector also came to the fore.

Referring to the additional raise regulation that was withdrawn in the General Assembly despite being accepted in the committee, Kalaycı voiced the problems experienced by career experts and audit personnel. Stating that there is a serious loss of motivation in the public sector, Kalaycı made the following assessment:

"We must express that career personnel are experiencing great disappointment and a loss of morale and motivation. Many of our ministries and institutions are suffering greatly due to the departure of career experts and audit personnel from the public sector. It must be seen that this problem will grow even further."

Touching upon the impact of economic conditions on public employees and retirees, Kalaycı said that the inflation adjustment alone would not be sufficient for the salary increases to be made in January. Kalaycı stated that an additional welfare share should be provided.

MHP'S DEMANDS LISTED

The demands that stood out in Kalaycı's speech were conveyed as follows:

Welfare Share for Civil Servants: Providing an additional welfare share to public employees within the framework of budget possibilities in the salary increases to be made in January.

3600 Additional Indicator: Granting the 3600 additional indicator to civil servants who reach the first degree.

Difference Between Retirees: Gradually reducing the difference between pension payments by providing an additional welfare share to SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees.

Also touching upon the minimum wage negotiations, Kalaycı said that the living conditions of employees should be taken into account during the wage determination process. Kalaycı stated, "As the MHP, we believe that the living conditions of employees will be taken into consideration in determining the minimum wage to be applied in 2026."

In the final part of his speech, Kalaycı made evaluations regarding public opinion research companies and called for sanctions against manipulative polls. Kalaycı said, "Criminal sanctions should be introduced for those who manipulate public opinion and present false, misleading information with the intent to direct or influence."