Police Organization Union decides to strike to draw attention to police suicides

The Police Organization Union has announced that it has decided to go on strike to draw attention to the economic and social problems faced by police personnel, their working conditions, and inequalities in their personal rights.

In a written statement issued by the union's board of directors, it was stated that seven members of the police force have taken their own lives in the last five days. The statement also noted that two members of the auxiliary services class serving in Bursa and Istanbul attempted suicide last week and are currently undergoing treatment.

The statement recalled that a retired police officer also took his own life in front of the Constitutional Court the day before, stating, "This situation can no longer be ignored."

The union argued that heavy working conditions, mobbing, financial difficulties, and loss of income during retirement have increased the pressure on members of the force. It was claimed that the expectation for a 3600 supplementary indicator, which would cover public officials reaching the first degree, has not been met, the problems of the auxiliary services class have not been resolved, and the principle of "equal pay for equal work" has not been achieved.

“The expectation for a 3600 supplementary indicator regulation that would cover all public officials reaching the first degree has not been met, the problems of the auxiliary services class have not been solved, equal pay for equal work has not been provided, the Police Organization has been ignored at the collective bargaining table, and the Police Professional Law has not been implemented for years.”

The statement also emphasized that the concerns of force members who started their duties after 2008 and are covered under Law No. 5510 regarding their retirement income are increasing.

The union announced that it would go on strike across Turkey on Monday afternoon, September 28, to ensure their demands are heard. The statement noted that the decision was taken to "draw attention to the loss of life, economic and social problems, mobbing, losses in personal rights, and problems that have remained unresolved for years."

News Source: 12punto