The retirees will come to the square tomorrow
Pensioners who could not get even a lira increase in July due to their low basic pensions, and those whose right to retire was postponed by 20 years for one day when the EYT came out, will organize a large demonstration tomorrow in Istanbul.
Several retiree associations will also participate in the demonstration that will be held tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on Kartal Square at the call of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK).
In addition to demands such as “increase the lowest basic pension and retirement bonuses to the level of the minimum wage” and “increase all pensions at least based on the increase in the minimum wage”, the demonstration will also demand a gradual and fair transition system for those who started working after September 9, 1999. .
THE LOWEST RETIREMENT PENSION IS ACTUALLY 4 THOUSAND 500 TL!
Speaking to Sozcu.com.tr, DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu said: He recalled that retirees’ pensions fell to 4,500 liras and described the increase of these to 7,500 liras with the support of the Treasury as a “strange practice.”
“With the Social Security and General Sickness Insurance Law No. 5510, adopted in 2008, retirement conditions became more difficult and pensions were systematically reduced,” Çerkezoğlu said, adding: “It is said that the lowest pension is 7,500 liras, but it is actually 4,500 liras. So, not to mention the poverty line, we are talking about a monthly income that is below the hunger threshold. “These conditions need to change and improve,” he stated.
DİSK President Çerkezoğlu distributed leaflets to the public in Bakırköy for tomorrow’s demonstration.
‘MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO THE LEVEL’
However, Çerkezoğlu said that the increases must be made with permanent solutions, not compensatory improvements, and listed the demands they will express at tomorrow’s rally as follows:
“The lowest pension should be increased at least to the level of the minimum wage, and the increase in all remaining pensions should be increased at least by the same amount as the increase in the minimum wage.
The bonds, which could only increase from 1,000 lira to 2,000 lira in 5 years, have also been converted into money. It is also necessary to increase bonuses to the level of the minimum wage.”
THEY LOST 20 YEARS IN ONE DAY
Another demand that will come to light at tomorrow’s rally is the demand for “a fair system of gradual transition in retirement”…
In the regulation regarding EYT, President Tayyip Erdoğan announced that 2 million 250 thousand people who entered on September 8, 1999 and completed their service period and bonus day will retire; This situation was criticized for causing great inequality in terms of those who lost their right to retire for one day.
Because according to this system, a female worker can retire at 38 years old and a male worker at 43, while a woman who starts working a day later can retire at 58 years old and a man can retire at the age of 60.
Experts point out that there must be harmony in accordance with the principle of equality and say that a softer transition instead of a hard transition must be made for this unjust situation.
After the EYT, a female worker can retire at age 38 and a male worker at age 43, while a woman who starts working the day after these people can retire at age 58 and a man at age 60. The Justice in Retirement Association recommends the application of the table above for those who enter SSI after September 8, 1999.
Among the associations that will attend tomorrow’s rally: Mihriban Uğurlu, President of the Association for Justice in Retirement He will explain this injustice in his speech at the rally.
TO.Uğurlu, who will demand that a gradual transition system be adopted, said:To denounce this injustice to everyone, I will personally give a special speech from the stage and announce this grievance. “We are waiting for everyone on Sunday for a fair retirement,” he called.
Çerkezoğlu also said the following for those seeking justice in their retirement:
“There is a lot of injustice and inequality in retirement. A solution was found with EYT, but it was incomplete. There are still victims of 5 thousand days of bonus, there are victims of partial retirement, there are those who seek justice in retirement…
After September 8, 1999, there was a difference of 17 to 20 years between the retirements of two workers who were insured even one day apart. Equity and balance regarding retirement age must be ensured. “A gradual and fair transition system should be adopted for those who started working after September 9, 1999.”
THE COMPENSATION REBELLION WILL ALSO BE A VOICE
Two more demands will also come to light at the rally.
One of them is the issue of raising pension rates to their previous level and eliminating inequality between pensions with comprehensive adjustment regulation, while another demand is severance pay…
The planned changes to working life by the Medium-Term Program (PMP) and subsequent statements by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz raised concerns about whether severance pay would be eliminated.
The text of the MTP stated that the Automatic Enrollment System (OKS) would become a ‘second-stage retirement system’ and in that area a Supplementary Retirement System (TES) would be established.
With this system, which is expected to be implemented in the last quarter of 2024, it is also expected to reorganize severance payments.
Even if this system is implemented, the employee will no longer receive a lump sum compensation when leaving work, but in the form of a monthly payment during retirement.
However, there is a danger: even if this amount, which will be received in addition to the current pension, is presented as a second pension and is shown as a situation in favor of the employee, he will be deprived of the opportunity to receive the lump sum payment. . You deserve severance pay and will not be able to pay it due to the low rate of premium your employer will likely pay you. The worker will receive a low amount.
At tomorrow’s rally the demands on this issue will be listed and it will be said that “severance pay is our red line.”