Joint statement from confederations: We have no strength left to endure

The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), and the Hak Trade Union Confederation (HAK-İŞ) are holding a joint press conference at the TÜRK-İŞ Headquarters.

The press conference was attended by DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay, and HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan.

Highlights from the statements of TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay are as follows:

"We are currently experiencing an economic crisis. This crisis does not resemble the crisis of '94, the crisis of 2001, or the crisis of 2008.

The economic crisis we are experiencing is unlike the previous ones; you don't have a chance to survive for a month, or even a week, on the minimum wage. We have no strength left to endure.

The public does not find the figures announced by TÜİK realistic, and the figures do not align with the market.

In our country, 20 percent of the population lives in prosperity, while the other 80 percent pays the price. They think we are slaves."

The statements of Hak Trade Union Confederation (HAK-İŞ) President Mahmut Arslan are as follows:

"We compete, but we have an obligation to come together on fundamental issues. It is very valuable that we have united on certain matters.

If we look at macroeconomic indicators, there is a positive trend. The wheels of production are turning. Many companies in the private sector are working three shifts. Unemployment is decreasing. So, what is the picture for the labor movement? Despite growth, the share that laborers receive from the national income is decreasing.

Unfortunately, the easiest thing to do is layoffs. We ask municipalities run by opposition parties to put an end to layoffs. The first step to achieving a fair distribution of wealth is to remove the obstacles to union organization."

DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu also noted the following:

"The value we all create is enough for the 85 million people living in this country to live comfortably. As long as resources are distributed fairly, and income and tax distribution are equitable.

Where there is no democracy, there are no labor rights. We can solve this problem in a country where all social segments, especially the working class, have a say not just from election to election, but in every area of life.

We invite all political parties that side with labor to struggle shoulder to shoulder, and we demand a raise worthy of human dignity.

The joint statement text includes issues we have gathered under 10 headings regarding working life, from the minimum wage to taxes. This picture we are experiencing did not emerge by chance. It is a result of the political and class preferences of the political power governing the country.

These problems can be overcome with a real democracy. We invite everyone who defends their labor and bread, all unions, and all political parties that stand with labor to stand side by side and struggle shoulder to shoulder to protect our country."

Çerkezoğlu explained the 10 points included in the joint declaration of the three confederations as follows:

Justice in taxation: The first bracket of the income tax tariff for wage earners has been set at 110 thousand TL. In 2002, the gross minimum wage was 17 times the minimum wage. Today, it has fallen to 5 times. They pay 1.5 months of their annual salary as tax. The net amount the worker receives is decreasing, which causes their welfare to decline. The tax system should be redesigned with income justice in mind.

Fighting inflation: You cannot achieve this by keeping wages low. Worker, civil servant, and retiree salaries are increased according to TÜİK's calculations. There is a huge difference between the inflation experienced and the inflation reported. Before the raises were even reflected in wages, a 38 percent hike was applied to electricity.

Minimum wage: It must be increased urgently. Almost half of the employees receive wages at the minimum wage level. The minimum wage, which should be an exception, has now become the average wage. The reason for the high inflation in the country is the endless greed for profit of capital, not low-income workers. Workers cannot be expected to make sacrifices to lower inflation. Workers are not the cause of inflation, but its victims.

Public sector: Wage imbalance in the public sector must end. The wage gap in the public sector is at an extreme level. The wage imbalance here must be ended.

Retirees: The lowest pension should be at the minimum wage level. Millions of retirees receive pensions far below the minimum wage. Growth should be fully taken into account when calculating pensions.

Union: Removing the obstacles to union organization: Despite the regulations in our legislation, the mass dismissal of workers who are union members must be prevented."

Subcontracted workers: Subcontracted workers outside the scope of the 696 Decree Law must be given permanent staff status immediately. These workers should be transitioned to permanent staff, and the status of subcontracted workers in the public sector must be ended.

Savings: Employees' rights should not be eroded under the pretext of austerity measures. It is unacceptable to make deductions from the wages workers deserve for their labor or to reduce their social rights under the name of savings.

Occupational diseases: A system that reduces occupational diseases and improves working conditions must be created for work worthy of human dignity.

Discrimination: Discrimination in working life must end.

News Source: 12punto