Pension debate in the Turkish Parliament: AKP's Çelik points to the adjustment law, CHP's Emir says 'The system has collapsed'

In the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), a debate took place between the AKP and the CHP over the social security system and pensions ahead of the deliberations on the legislative proposal to increase the lowest pension.

AKP Artvin Deputy Faruk Çelik, while responding to criticisms regarding social security reform, defended the regulation made with Law No. 5510, which came into effect in 2008, as a "correct reform." Çelik stated that an adjustment law must be enacted to solve the problem in the system.

Stating that his assessments on social media were misinterpreted, Çelik said, "There is no complaint about the current reform. On the contrary, we have made an assessment regarding how the existing situation can be remedied and what the solution is."

Claiming that the problems in the field of social security began with the removal of the age requirement in the past, Çelik stated that the 1999 regulation did not bring a permanent solution either. Çelik said that temporary steps such as flat-rate raises and base pensions came to the agenda following the COVID-19 pandemic, regional wars, and the EYT (Retirement at Age of Retirement) regulation.

EMIR: YOU ARE THE ONES GOVERNING THIS COUNTRY

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir reacted to Çelik's statements, arguing that the government is responsible for the problems faced by retirees. Addressing the AKP benches, Emir said, "You are the ones governing this country, you are the ones passing these laws, you are the ones implementing these practices. When will you take responsibility, Mr. Minister?"

Stating that pension accrual rates fell with the 2008 regulation, Emir argued that the base pension practice was also a result of the deterioration in the system. Claiming that a significant portion of retirees have been condemned to the base pension, Emir said, "You built the system, the system has collapsed."

Çelik responded to these criticisms from the podium again. Saying, "The system has not collapsed or anything, friends," Çelik stated that serious preparation is required to speak on the topic of social security. Stating that he is not blaming anyone, Çelik expressed that an adjustment regulation was made for retirees before 2000, and that a similar step for those after 2000 would provide a solution.

Emir stated that the CHP has also been calling for an adjustment law for years, asking, "We are the ones who should say it, but you are the ones who should do it. Why aren't you doing it?" Touching upon the EYT regulation, Emir argued that the government tried to obtain political results from this regulation before the elections.

The debate in Parliament brought the structure of the social security system, the level of pensions, and the adjustment law back to the agenda ahead of the deliberations on the regulation regarding the lowest pension.

News Source: 12punto