TURKEY KAMU-SEN Calls for Additional Raise in Front of the Grand National Assembly: "No Civil Servants, No Pensioners, No Justice in the Budget!"

ANKARA - Türkiye Kamu-Sen held a well-attended press statement in front of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to express the economic victimization of public employees and pensioners and to strongly announce their demands for an additional raise and welfare share before the 2026 budget negotiations.

The protest, led by General President Önder Kahveci and attended by union presidents, branch managers and thousands of public servants, was organized with the slogan "We want justice! We want welfare! We want a raise!" slogans were chanted.

"2026 Budget Works for Inflation, Not for Civil Servants"

In his speech in front of the Turkish Parliament, President Önder Kahveci stated that the budget for 2026 ignores civil servants and pensioners, and drew attention to the fact that the latest inflation figures have increased the fire in the kitchen. Kahveci criticized the government's 11% + 7% salary increase for civil servants and pensioners for 2026 and said:

"These figures do not work for civil servants; they work for inflation, taxes and the cost of living! The July raise evaporated in the first month. As of today, the public employee is 2.5 points in arrears and his/her receivables are recorded in the credit book. While the Medium Term Program (MTP) talks about a 21% increase in the pie, is the 11% + 7% increase we are being offered fair?" This is the official declaration that the purchasing power of public employees will decrease!"

Critical Demands: Additional Raise, Welfare Share and Tax Justice

General President Kahveci listed his urgent expectations from the Government and the Parliament before the budget negotiations to eliminate injustice:

1. Additional Raise and Welfare Share: The lost purchasing power must be compensated for and salaries must be given an additional raise by adding the welfare share resulting from growth.

2. Fairness in Taxes: It is unacceptable to increase the tax burden on civil servants while their salaries increase. The income tax rate on wage earners should be fixed at 15% and income brackets should be raised according to economic realities.

3. Additional Supplementary Pay for Civil Servant Retirees: The distinction between before and after 2008 should be eliminated, and the injustice of only 45% of the salary of civil servant retirees should be eliminated.

4. 3600 Additional Indicator: The President's promise of 3600 additional indicators for all civil servants who reach the first degree must be brought to the agenda of the Parliament immediately.

5. Auxiliary Services Class: The employees of the Auxiliary Services Class, who have been waiting for years, should be transferred to the General Administrative Services Class with an arrangement that does not burden the budget.

Law No. 4688 Must Change: Strengthen Collective Bargaining

Emphasizing that Law No. 4688 is at the root of all economic and status injustices, Kahveci argued that the current collective bargaining system has lost its function:

"The collective bargaining table has turned into a show where the public employer imposes what it wants and the civil servants are silenced. The Arbitration Council has institutionalized the ratification of decisions."

Kahveci demanded that Law No. 4688 be urgently amended to create a real bargaining ground in accordance with international conventions, and that the Arbitration Board be restructured to be the spokesperson of justice.

General President Kahveci stated that their struggle will continue with determination until the demands are fulfilled and added, "Either we will get our rights or we will not take a step back. Long live our struggle for rights, long live Türkiye Kamu-Sen!"