CHP's Gürer submits legislative proposal to abolish subcontracted worker system

CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer stated that there are thousands of subcontracted workers in public institutions and that those working as subcontractors face serious loss of rights compared to other public employees, saying, "This will strengthen social justice while increasing the economic prosperity of workers by ensuring their access to more humane living conditions. With these employees being taken into permanent staff positions in public institutions, their freedom to unionize and engage in collective bargaining will be guaranteed. Protecting union rights is also extremely important for workers to defend their rights and fight for better working conditions." Gürer submitted the legislative proposal he prepared for the abolition of the subcontracted worker system to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

CHP Deputy Gürer stated that although it was claimed that the subcontracted system was ended with the Decree Law (KHK) regulation made in 2018, the presence of subcontracted workers in the public sector continues in practice. Gürer said, "While the purpose of the KHK regulation made in 2018 should have been to end the subcontracted system, the subcontracted system did not end with the regulation made; its model changed. There are still thousands of subcontracted workers in public institutions."

"RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED IN MANY AREAS"

Stating that the rights of subcontracted workers are being violated in many areas, Ömer Fethi Gürer said, "Subcontracted workers work without security, without organization, often with a 'hire-fire' cycle, and usually for minimum wage or close to it; this situation makes it difficult to meet the cost of living and causes workers to live below the poverty line. Access to basic social security such as unemployment insurance, severance pay, and retirement is also problematic for subcontracted workers. This situation creates insecurity and anxiety about the future, and at the same time creates stress due to the fear of losing their jobs and the constant contract renewal process. They also face various obstacles in terms of unionizing and collective bargaining, which makes it difficult for them to defend their rights and improve their working conditions," he said.

"IT WILL STRENGTHEN SOCIAL JUSTICE WHILE INCREASING THEIR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY"

 Gürer also expressed the following regarding the legislative proposal he submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey:

"With the abolition of the subcontracted system, the employment of subcontracted workers as permanent staff in the public sector will be an important step taken in working life. With this step, it will be ensured that subcontracted workers are freed from insecure working conditions and a fairer employment order is provided. Another point that is important in terms of income justice and job security will be the payment of a wage above the minimum wage and additional compensation to subcontracted workers. This will strengthen social justice while increasing the economic prosperity of workers by ensuring their access to more humane living conditions. With these employees being taken into permanent staff positions in public institutions, their freedom to unionize and engage in collective bargaining will be guaranteed. Protecting union rights is also extremely important for workers to defend their rights and fight for better working conditions."