DİSK Rebels Against TÜİK's Inflation Figures: "Implement Court Rulings, Don't Play With Our Livelihoods!"

ANKARA, Turkey – On a critical day set for the announcement of official inflation figures, the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) staged a widely attended protest in front of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) building. Led by DİSK General President Arzu Çerkezoğlu, along with General Secretary Tayfun Görgün and Executive Board member Şükret Sevgener, the demonstration fiercely criticized TÜİK for defying court rulings, concealing data, and tampering with the livelihoods of millions. The main slogans resounding from the protest were, "You Will Be Held Accountable!" and "Don't play with the bread of millions!"

One of DİSK's most significant criticisms against TÜİK is the concealment of the "item price list" from the public since June 2022. This list is vital for the transparency of inflation calculations. The failure to disclose this list makes independent auditing of TÜİK's inflation data impossible and deepens the chasm between the real inflation felt in the markets and the official figures.

TÜİK's Concealed Data and Violation of Judicial Decisions

DİSK had previously taken legal action against this data blackout policy and won the case. The Ankara 6th Administrative Court, in its decision dated March 31, 2023, ruled that TÜİK has a duty to disclose the data forming the basis of inflation. Despite this decision being finalized after the appeal stage, TÜİK management has resisted implementing the court ruling for over two years. DİSK characterized this situation as "the case of the case of the case" and initiated a new legal process.

In her statement at the protest, DİSK General President Arzu Çerkezoğlu said, "TÜİK once again announced inflation data without fulfilling the requirements of judicial decisions. TÜİK is hitting the brakes, intentionally showing low inflation to meet the government's inflation targets." This situation casts a shadow over the independence of the statistics institution and the rule of law.

The Chasm Between the Public's Inflation and Official Inflation

The official inflation figures announced by TÜİK are criticized by DİSK for "not reflecting the real inflation felt by the public." While TÜİK declared the annual CPI at 37.8% and the 12-month average at 48.7%, DİSK-AR's calculations indicate that food inflation, especially for retirees and low-income earners, is much higher, ranging between 70-80%, and sometimes even reaching 90-115%.

This striking difference highlights the unequal impact of inflation across income groups. Low-income households, spending a large portion of their income on basic necessities like food, suffer disproportionately from the understatement in official figures, eroding their purchasing power. DİSK emphasizes that Turkey ranks first among OECD countries in inflation, and that in Turkey, more inflation occurs in one month than in a year in 14 OECD countries.

Economic Injustice and Its Effects on Income Distribution

Official inflation rates directly impact the wages of workers, public employees, and retirees. While the incomes of millions rapidly erode against inflation, the effect is particularly devastating on low-income groups. The lowest 20% income group receives only 6.3% of the total income, yet food accounts for a high 36.6% of their expenditures. In contrast, the highest 20% income group earns 48.1% of the total income, with food spending making up only 14.5% of their expenditures. This situation further deepens income inequality.

The increasing share of basic expenses like rent, housing, and transportation in household budgets disproportionately reduces the purchasing power of low-income individuals, exacerbating their financial difficulties. If official inflation figures are significantly lower than the public's actual cost of living, wage adjustments based on these figures will be insufficient, leading to widespread discontent.

DİSK's Legal Battle: Resistance for Transparency and Accountability

DİSK has relentlessly pursued the disclosure of the data concealed by TÜİK, especially the "item price list," for three years. Despite winning the lawsuit against this lack of transparency, DİSK has filed a new lawsuit due to TÜİK's defiance of the court ruling, emphasizing that it will "continue to be a follower" of this case. DİSK views TÜİK's failure to perform its duty correctly as "playing with the bread of millions." DİSK's consistent protests and legal actions demonstrate its critical watchdog role against institutional lack of transparency and economic injustice.

Millions' Demand: You Will Be Held Accountable!

DİSK's protest in front of TÜİK sends a clear message that the manipulation of official inflation data is unacceptable and has severe consequences for millions of citizens. The call, "You Will Be Held Accountable!", represents a powerful grievance demanding justice and transparency from TÜİK and the government. DİSK will continue its struggle for economic justice for workers, retirees, and all low-income groups by demanding the disclosure of real data and the implementation of judicial decisions. This struggle is also one for the "bread" and dignity of the working class and retirees.