After the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) started the new legislative year on October 1, 16 unions published a joint statement before the 2027 Budget Law Proposal discussions.
In the declaration titled "We call on the working class and its friends to struggle", evaluations were made on budget policies, wages, pensions, tax system, fund investigation, union rights and democratic rights.
In the declaration, a call was made to DİSK, TÜRK-İŞ and HAK-İŞ, as well as public employee confederations, professional organizations, youth, environmental and women's organizations and political parties, to take joint action.
REACTION FROM UNIONS TO 2027 BUDGET
In the joint statement, it was stated that the budget does not consist only of income and expense items, and it was argued that budget preferences have a direct impact on income distribution.
In the declaration, which claimed that the 2027-2029 Medium Term Program would have impoverishing consequences for employees, it was stated that wages declined in the face of inflation and pensions lost their purchasing power.
While it was argued that the minimum wage remained below the hunger line in 2026, there was also reaction to the lack of an interim increase in July.
In the statement, it was stated that although rent, food and other basic living expenses increased, wages did not increase at the same pace.
CALL FOR 'INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION' FOR FUND INVESTIGATION
The unions also allocated extensive space in the declaration to the funding investigation, which was brought to the agenda in September.
It was stated that the investigation should be carried out in a "comprehensive, independent and fair" manner, and public officials, company managers and other persons responsible were asked to be held accountable before the judiciary.
In the statement, it was emphasized that the cost of the funding crisis should not be transferred to employees through taxes, raises or deductions.
THEY WANTED THE TAX SYSTEM TO BE CHANGED
In the joint statement, demands regarding the tax system were also listed.
While it was stated that the tax burden of wage earners should be reduced, a call was made to collect more taxes on wealth, rent and high incomes.
It was argued that wages below the poverty line should be exempt from tax.
CALL FOR UNION ORGANIZATION
Unions also demanded the removal of legal and practical obstacles to organizing.
While it was stated that thresholds, strike bans and postponements, layoff pressure and authority objections constitute obstacles to union organization, it was requested that the freedom of association be guaranteed.
In the declaration, which also drew attention to occupational murders, it was emphasized that the life safety of workers should be kept ahead of the profit expectations of employers.
REACTION TO TRUSTEE PRACTICES
The declaration also included criticisms regarding freedom of expression and press, the right to assembly and demonstration, and union rights.
It was demanded that the appointment of trustees to municipalities be stopped and the elected mayors be reinstated.
The unions also called for peace against the wars in West Asia and demanded the expansion of democratic rights and freedoms.
PROPOSAL FOR RALLY, WORKPLACE ACTION AND ANKARA MARCH
In the joint declaration, a call was made to union confederations, especially DİSK, TÜRK-İŞ and HAK-İŞ, and other social organizations to create a joint struggle program.
The prominent demands in the call were listed as follows:
Ensuring justice in taxes and income
Increasing pensions
Determining a livable minimum wage
Removing obstacles to union organization
Ending violations of personal rights and freedoms
Stopping political operations against opposition groups
The unions suggested organizing regional and central mass rallies in the coming period, putting on the agenda actions that will use the power coming from production in workplaces, and then marching from different regions to Ankara.
Opposition parties and MPs in the Turkish Grand National Assembly were also asked to be included in the process to make legal regulations in line with the demands.
16 UNIONS SIGNED
The unions that signed the joint declaration are as follows:
Bank-Sen, DİSK Basın-İş, United Metal-İş, BTO-SEN, Cam Keramik-İş, Dev Yapı-İş, DEV Turizm-İş, Enerji-Sen, Gıda-İş, Güvenlik-Sen, İletişim-İş, Limter-İş, Nakliyat-İş, Sine-Sen, Sosyal-İş and Tümka-İş.
