Public employees protest salary inequality

A proposal that envisions a flat salary increase of approximately 30 thousand liras for certain career professionals and high-level bureaucrats in the public sector has sparked reactions because it excludes other employees. Orhan Yıldırım, Chairman of the United Public-Work Confederation, criticized the situation, stating that justice could not be achieved among public employees.

In a statement made in front of the Parliament, Yıldırım said, "The party that has 'Justice' in its name is unable to provide justice among public employees. While there are sufficient resources in the budget, the problem is that these resources are not distributed fairly."

INCOME INEQUALITY AND INFLATION

Yıldırım stated that public sector salaries are at the hunger threshold and that income inequality is steadily increasing. "This proposal is at the forefront of hostility toward labor," said Yıldırım, emphasizing that TUIK (Turkish Statistical Institute) data does not reflect reality and that inflation is seriously affecting the public's purchasing power. "You can only buy one kilo of fruit with the largest banknote. Food inflation is even making it difficult for children to be fed," he said.

Yıldırım called on the government and Parliament to bridge the wage gap among public employees. "Public workers should be provided not only with an inflation adjustment but with a wage increase that allows for a humane standard of living," he said. He also stated that the grievances caused by the fact that previous flat salary increases were not reflected in retirement pensions must be addressed. Yıldırım added, "The reputation of the state lies in the conditions of its working laborers and the value it places on them."