Turkey public sector union pushes for welfare pay and system reforms

Kamu-Sen Confederation head Önder Kahveci called for a permanent welfare‑pay system for civil servants and retirees, arguing that salary increases must reflect the actual inflation rate rather than preset targets. He highlighted that the July collective‑agreement raise of 7 % and the inflation‑gap payment are insufficient, noting that the current inflation‑gap has already reached 5.61 %.

Kahveci demanded that the inflation gap be applied to wages without the usual six‑month delay and that an automatic salary‑adjustment mechanism (Eşel mobile system) be introduced. He also proposed fixing the income‑tax rate at 15 % for public employees, ending temporary and contract‑based hiring, and harmonising pay for staff performing the same duties. Further reforms include updating the 657 Civil Servants Law and strengthening the independence of arbitration bodies.

The union stressed the widening income disparity between active civil servants and pensioners, citing cases where the additional payment for employees exceeds 22,000 lira while retirees receive none. Kahveci urged the Constitutional Court to rule on the pending lawsuit concerning pension‑payment parity and reiterated the need for a comprehensive overhaul of public‑personnel legislation.