Life is Expensive, Labor is Cheap: This Can Not Go Like This

The first mass press release regarding the new struggle process initiated by DİSK against the price hikes and the ever-increasing cost of living was made in Kadıköy Pier Square.

The workers, who started to come to the area from 12, waited for the press release to start with halay.

Speaking first in the press release that started at 12:30 on Wednesday, February 16th, DİSK Secretary General Adnan Serdaroğlu summarized the struggle process titled #Geçinmekİstiyoruz (#Wewanttogetliving), which has been going on since October, and gave information about the program of the upcoming period.

Meanwhile, the entrance of #Direnİşçi (#Resistworker) Farplas workers to the area was greeted with enthusiasm.

In the press statement that started after the arrival of Farplas workers, DİSK Chairman Arzu Çerkezoğlu said that we feel prices in the market, on the bills, as a reality that exceeds the figures, and emphasized that there is no solution to unemployment along with expensiveness. DİSK Chairman Arzu Çerkezoğlu said that those who govern the country do not take responsibility for the problems experienced, and said, “Whoever uses the authority will assume the responsibility.”

In the continuation of his speech, DİSK Chairman Arzu Çerkezoğlu explained the five main demands of the struggle process titled “Life is Expensive, Labor is Cheap: This Can Not Go Like This” as follows:

1. Increases in electricity, water, natural gas and internet bills should be withdrawn, invoices should be exempted from taxes and deductions.
2. All salaries and wages should be increased at least as much as the minimum wage increase rate, and the minimum wage, which was eroded at the very beginning of the year, should be re-determined. The lowest pension should be reduced to at least the minimum wage level, and the pension rights of EYT members should be given.
3. The tax bracket above the minimum wage should be reduced to 10 percent, and a fair tax policy should be adopted in which narrow and interest incomes are taxed, and those who earn a lot pay more.
4. All forms of precarious employment under the name of tradesmen courier/self-employment/private employment agency/subcontractor should be ended, and everyone should be provided with secure employment.
5. The most important way for the working class to compensate for the loss of income is the right to unionize and strike. All legal and de facto barriers to the exercise of these rights must be removed.

The action ended with the slogans “There is no salvation, either all together or none of us”.

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