Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced the inflation figures for May. According to the figures, monthly inflation was 0.04 percent and annual 39.59 percent.
The inflation figure announced for the first 5 months of the year was announced as 15.26 percent. The inflation difference, which is evident in the increase in the salaries of public employees, was 6.72 percent.
While the eyes turned to July for the increase in the salaries of public employees, the calls from the unions were not delayed.
Drawing attention to the inflation data, Ali Yalçın, Chairman of "Memur-Sen" labour union, stated that the increases in market prices continued.
Yalçın, emphasized that the purchasing power of low-income and fixed-income citizens is constantly decreasing.
"The fact that wages have continued at the same level since January attracts the attention of all fixed income earners. Our priority is the regulation to increase the minimum civil servant salary to 22 thousand TL in July. On the other hand, the area where inflation is felt most intensely and which covers a large part of the income is rent amounts. Increasing rents, especially in big cities and coastal cities with the arrival of the summer season, cause the compulsory assignment of public officials to other provinces. It is valuable to see our offer regarding rental assistance to public officials; It is important in this sense that the protection shield is put into practice and applied. Rent increases, which are much higher than inflation, should not turn into a crisis, and implementation should be implemented without losing time," Yalçın said.
“REGULATION MUST BE FAIR”
Pointing out that the uncertainty about how the expected salary increase will continue, Yalçın stated that it is important that the regulation be fair.
"The regulation should be fair, both in percentage and on the other hand, should narrow the gap, repair the deteriorated hierarchical structure, and should not increase the burden of the collective bargaining desk. In order not to cause bigger problems, social dialogue should definitely be increased and the culture of collective bargaining should be emphasized," Yalçın added.
“CIVIL SERVANTS' SALARY SHOULD START FROM THE POVERTY LIMIT”
Reminding President Erdoğan's promise regarding civil servant salaries before the election, Chairman of the Confederation of Independent Public Servants Unions, Mehmet Alper Öğretici, stated that it is important how the increase will be made.
"Beyond how this increase will be made, how much of it will be given as a percentage increase, a comprehensive change has been necessary to eliminate the injustice between professions and titles. For all these reasons, social partners should be employed and a fundamental change ground should be established with the participation of all confederations. Today, where the minimum wage is 8,506 TL, the average pension fund salary is 8,610 TL and the average civil servant salary is 12,200 TL, it gets harder every month for those with fixed incomes. Fixed-income people can no longer live with this inflation and high cost of living. The salary system should be radically changed and the lowest civil servant salary should start from the poverty line; This figure should be increased according to occupations and titles," Öğretici said.
“INFLATION DIFFERENCE SHOULD BE REFLECTED TO MONTHLY SALARY”
Stating that the inflation difference added to the salaries of civil servants and retirees every 6 months is insufficient, he noted that a regulation on the inflation difference is important.
"The increases taken every six months remain under inflation from the very first months and the purchasing power of fixed income earners decreases. Since the inflation difference given after six months does not cover the previous periods, the differences up to that point come out of the pockets of the fixed income earners. First of all, the losses that have occurred for years should be covered, and then monthly inflation losses should be reflected in the salaries," Öğretici added.