Speaking at the press conference at the Beşiktaş Tek Gıda-İş Headquarters, TÜRK-İŞ Deputy Chairman Eyüp Alemdar reminded that on July 9, HAK-İŞ, DİSK and TÜRK-İŞ came together and discussed the problems of the working class.
Stating that they made a joint statement and called on the government after the meeting where solution proposals were discussed, Alemdar claimed that no concrete steps were taken to solve the problems.
Emphasizing that the board of directors was given authority in this regard, Alemdar said, “With the decision taken by our board of directors, it was decided to hold extended meetings in 7 regions, one of which we held today, a press release in 81 provinces, and then a rally in Çerkezköy and Zonguldak. It was decided that if no results were obtained from these initiatives, our actions would continue to increase.”
Stating that the title of the 10-article joint declaration they published was “We demand a life worthy of human dignity”, Alemdar continued as follows:
“The high inflation we have been experiencing for the last few years and the resulting problems such as the high cost of living, unfair tax system, unemployment, precarious employment and unregistered employment are making life conditions worse for the majority of the society, especially the workers. While the economic situation of our people is obvious, it is impossible for us to accept the inflation rates announced by TÜİK. There is a huge gap between the inflation experienced and the inflation announced. The unreal inflation rates and the low raises made to workers and retirees are making the poor poorer every passing day. The purchasing power of the worker is rapidly decreasing. Savings should be provided not by taking away the service and other rights of the worker, but by preventing waste in the public sector.”
Stating that justice in the tax system should be ensured in order to ensure income justice in the country, Alemdar said, “Less taxes should be collected from those who earn less. The tax burden on workers’ wages should be reduced.”
Underlining that they will make a call to Turkey with 81 provincial representatives and branch heads on August 21, Alemdar noted the following:
“What will we say? We will say ‘We can’t make ends meet.’ We will shout out our demands for a humane life. We will demand an end to the injustice in taxes. We will demand the reorganization of retirement pension rates. We will demand positions for subcontractors in the private and public sectors. We will express the raise rates and our problems with inflation. We will shout out that there is a huge difference between the inflation announced by TÜİK and the inflation we are experiencing. We will hold a rally in Çerkezköy on August 26 and in Zonguldak on September 3 regarding these demands. We will make a decision together with HAK-İŞ, TÜRK-İŞ and DİSK in Ankara and hold a big rally in Ankara or Istanbul.”
