Stating that the high increase in prices in recent years has reduced the purchasing power of the minimum wage earners, Arslan also stated that the increase in the minimum wage disappeared due to inflation.
Mahmut Arslan, Chairman of Hak-İş Confederation, made special statements to our newspaper. Evaluating the prominent agenda topics of working life, Arslan called for the problem of the grievance experienced by millions of citizens who were old enough to retire. Stating that the Retirement Age Victims (EYT) problem is a problem originating from the International Money Fund (IMF), Arslan said, “This EYT system is the latest stake that the IMF has thrown at us. Although people fulfilled some basic responsibilities such as 5 thousand working days, 15 years of insurance, 55 years of age, the rules were changed on the way and a chaos like those waiting for retirement age was revealed. Today, the situation that over 100 thousand people cannot receive a pension despite paying their premiums is a situation that does not suit Turkey.”
MINIMUM WAGE MELTED DUE TO INFLATION
Arslan stating that the last high increase in prices over the years has reduced the purchasing power of the minimum wage earners, and that the increase in the minimum wage has disappeared due to inflation, Arslan wanted this burden of living on the shoulders of the workers to be alleviated. Emphasizing that there is great resistance against union organization and gains and efforts are being made to prevent them, Arslan added: “We continue to have problems with the municipalities and the rectors of some universities. With our wages reduced to zero in the face of inflation in January, it is out of question to accept and excuse the notion of not applying collective agreements.”