Economic concerns raised in Balıkesir regarding tax policy and investment fraud

In Balıkesir, Turkish labor and consumer representatives have raised concerns regarding economic stability and financial security.

Edip Gülnar, the 4th Regional President of Türk-İş, addressed the decline in purchasing power among workers and retirees. He criticized the current tax bracket system, noting that employees often see a reduction in their net monthly income as they move into higher tax brackets throughout the year despite no increase in gross pay. Gülnar called for a fairer tax system where those earning less pay less, and emphasized the need to protect the purchasing power of the workforce.

Simultaneously, M. Recai Yıldırım, the Balıkesir Branch President of the Consumer Protection Association (TÜKODER), issued a warning against fraudulent investment schemes. He highlighted that scammers are targeting individuals with small savings through social media, phone calls, and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. These schemes often promise ‘guaranteed high returns’ or ‘instant wealth’ to lure victims. Yıldırım advised citizens to verify the authorization of any investment institution via the official Capital Markets Board (SPK) website before transferring funds.