TÜRK-İŞ holds 'We Are in Trouble, We Cannot Make Ends Meet' rally

The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (Türk-İş) organized a "We are in trouble, we cannot make ends meet" rally in Ankara, which began at 11:00 AM at Anadolu Square in the capital with the participation of workers from all sectors.

Unions affiliated with Türk-İş and thousands of workers who came from all corners of Turkey gathered to demand tax justice and improvements in living conditions.

At the rally, workers held signs reading, "Lift the heavy tax burden," "We will not pay the price for the failing economy," "Public workers want a solution," "Workers are the tax champions again," "Our right to permanent staff status cannot be blocked," "We are being crushed from gross to net," and "Promises must be kept." Workers chanted slogans such as, "We will win by resisting" and "We want tax justice."

TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay spoke at the "We are in trouble, we cannot make ends meet" rally. In his speech, Atalay stated that income tax brackets should be adjusted in favor of employees, saying, "Forty years ago, the first tax bracket was 14 times the minimum wage. Currently, it is 110 thousand liras. They should fix it at 15 percent as soon as possible. We want tax justice."

At the "We Are in Trouble, We Cannot Make Ends Meet Rally" organized by the Confederation at Anadolu Square, Atalay said that due to the heavy tax burden, workers are unable to receive the same salary in April that they received in January, the same salary in July that they received in April, or the same salary in December that they received in July.

Emphasizing that budget negotiations will begin in the coming days at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Planning and Budget Committee, Atalay said:

"We want a regulation on taxes in favor of employees. Forty years ago, the first tax bracket was 14 times the minimum wage. Currently, it is 110 thousand liras. They should fix it at 15 percent as soon as possible. We want tax justice. Public workers were once the example and pioneers regarding wages. In the last 6 months, public sector wages have fallen to the level of the minimum wage. It is unacceptable that those whose contract date is in January receive a 24 percent raise and those in March receive an 18 percent raise under the Public Framework Protocol. Those who govern the country must close the gap in favor of the workers. We have no peace in our workplaces, we have no peace in our homes. With these wages, it is difficult to survive even for a week, let alone a month."

Stating that they want employees to live in a way that befits human dignity, Atalay announced that they would send a 70-page study they prepared on taxes to members of parliament next week.

Arguing that the inflation data announced by TÜİK does not match the reality of the markets and grocery stores, Atalay said this situation is unacceptable and must be audited.

"A NEW LEGAL REGULATION IS NEEDED REGARDING THESE MERCILESS PEOPLE"

Reminding that minimum wage negotiations will begin in December, Atalay said, "There will be 4 workers there as well. Whatever decision they make there, we will abide by it exactly. Last year they came and said, 'Let it be 18 thousand, let it be twice a year,' and we put the exact same thing in front of those who govern the country. We will do the same this year. Whatever they decide, we will abide by that decision to the letter."

Atalay stated that workers who are members of unions are being dismissed by some employers and said the following:

"I am calling out to those who govern the country; pass a law that is in favor of the worker. Do not leave us to the mercy of employers. 90 percent of them act mercilessly. Unfortunately, there is a very negative picture in the country. On one hand, there are those who kill children, and on the other, there are those who slaughter horses and donkeys. A new legal regulation is needed regarding these merciless people. Those who do these things should be given heavier penalties, and they should be boycotted."

Drawing attention to the fact that there will be a 30-35 percent difference between the pensions of those who retired or will retire in 2024 and those who will retire in 2025, Atalay said, "It is impossible to accept this difference. A large number of workers are affected by this. If you retire these experienced workers in the defense industry, energy, and highways, you cannot build weapons, nor can you carry out work related to energy."

Before Atalay's speech, Durmuş Öztürk on behalf of minimum wage earners, Tuncay Tümoğlu on behalf of subcontracted workers, İbrahim Karaer on behalf of retirees, and Şükran Tunçay Şenol on behalf of female workers addressed those attending the rally, and worker Remzi İktü Eren gave a speech regarding the tax burden experienced by employees.

The rally was attended by CHP Deputy Chairman Gamze Taşcıer, members of parliament from various parties, Turkey Pensioners Association President Kazım Ergün, presidents of unions affiliated with TÜRK-İŞ, and workers.

News Source: 12punto