The truth behind the Eyüpsultan Municipality meal price hike revealed

Eyüpsultan Municipality's price adjustment in its cafeteria has become a topic of discussion on social media. The truth has emerged regarding the smear campaign launched over the 190 TL meal price offered to workers in the municipal cafeteria, which was framed with the narrative that "a blow has been dealt to the laborer's table."

Meal prices in the municipal cafeteria, which had not been increased for 6 years and were previously set at 20 TL, were raised to 62 TL for civil servants and 190 TL for workers in order to 'prevent public loss.' Trolls close to the government shared content on social media under headlines such as "Price hike shock." These posts were circulated to provoke reactions from the public and employees. However, the reality turned out to be quite different.

NO PRICE HIKE FOR 6 YEARS

The municipality introduced an adjustment to the long-outdated prices in the cafeteria to ensure the efficient use of public resources and to prevent public loss. Meal prices, which had not been increased for 6 years, were updated in accordance with public personnel regulations and market conditions.

According to the adjustment;

The meal price for civil servants was increased to 62 TL.

The meal price for workers was set at 190 TL.

However, the municipality pays workers a daily meal allowance of 248 TL. This means that if a worker chooses, they can eat their meal in the cafeteria for 190 TL.

TURNED INTO A PERCEPTION OPERATION

The hike in meal prices was quickly circulated by social media trolls under the headline "a blow to laborers." Comments made without knowing the facts once again turned into an organized social media campaign aimed at misleading the public.

However, it was learned that the cafeteria provides affordable meals not only to civil servants but also to workers. With this step taken in accordance with the principle of equality and to prevent public loss, employees were not victimized. On the contrary, the meal allowance provided to workers remained high even after the price hike.

HOW ARE MEAL COSTS COVERED?

While approximately one-third of the meal cost (excluding electricity, water, natural gas, and personnel) is collected from civil servant meal fees, the remaining portion is covered by the municipal budget. This practice is mandatory under legislation. For workers, only a price equal to the cost is applied; otherwise, it would lead to institutional loss and, consequently, public loss.