All Pensioners' Union Izmir Branch Platform brought up the livelihood problems of retirees in the 36th week of the press release and sit-in protest in front of Konak YKM. Term Spokesperson and Buca Branch President Semra Süren, who made the statement, reminded retired police officer Ali Şekeroğlu, who committed suicide during the protest held by retirees in front of the Constitutional Court in Ankara on September 25, demanding a pay raise and a decent life. Stating that Şekeroğlu had said in his previous posts that he wanted to make a living and make the voices of retirees heard, Süren emphasized that the union's struggle is a peaceful and democratic struggle for rights.
“WE CANNOT REDUCE HIS DEATH TO A SINGLE CAUSE”
Süren said that no citizen should take his anger and despair to a point that would harm himself or others, and added that the way for retirees to live a humane and honorable life is through organization and solidarity.
Stating that the reasons for Şekeroğlu's death cannot be evaluated under a single heading, Süren said, "We cannot know all the reasons for Ali Şekeroğlu's death and cannot reduce them to a single reason." On the other hand, Süren said that the economic, social and political conditions experienced by retirees cannot be ignored.
“NOT FOR MONEY, BUT FOR OUR HONOR”
Pointing to Şekeroğlu's posts before the protest, Süren said that the retired police officer said, "Let's make our voices heard in order to live and earn a living as a human being, which is our constitutional right." Reminding Şekeroğlu's words in another post, "Nobody can question our love for our homeland, but they cannot punish us with hunger either," Süren said that the sign he carried during the demonstration in front of the Constitutional Court read "Not for money, but for our honor."
Süren stated that the union does not consider Şekeroğlu's death only as an individual incident and said, "We see political responsibility for the conditions in which this death took place. We say it in this sense: This is not just a suicide, it is a political murder." This statement was included in the statement as a political evaluation of the union.
“RETIRED PEOPLE DID NOT MAKE THESE DECISIONS”
Arguing that the economic problems experienced by retirees are related to the social security and economic policies that have been implemented for a long time, Süren reacted to Law No. 5510, the fact that the incremental increase given to public employees is not reflected to retirees, and budget preferences.
Süren emphasized that the decisions in question are not taken by the retirees and said that the preferences regarding pensions, tax policies and the social security system belong to the political power. For this reason, the union argued that the political responsibility for the poverty and livelihood difficulties experienced by millions of retirees lies with the AKP government.
“WE WILL NOT NORMALIZE THIS”
Saying that the retirees' call "We cannot make ends meet" was ignored, Süren said, "If a retiree puts his life after saying 'I want to live like a human', 'Don't punish with hunger', 'Let the rulers hear our voices', the political power cannot ignore the responsibility for this heavy situation that emerges." Süren said that they would not allow what happened to be normalized.
“WE WANT OUR RIGHTS, NOT LOYALTIES”
Süren also reacted to the preferences regarding the use of public resources and criticized the statements that there were no resources for retirees. Stating that retirees work throughout their lives and pay taxes and premiums, Süren emphasized that their demands are not for aid but for acquired rights.
Süren said, "We do not want alms. We do not want favours. We want the reward of our life's work and the premiums we have paid." Süren said that retirees want to be fed humanely, sheltered, have access to health services and continue their lives without worrying about the future, and stated that the struggle will continue.
