KESK Issues Major Nationwide Call to Action: "We Can't Make Ends Meet! We Demand a Pro-People Budget and a Democratic Turkey"

The Confederation of Public Employees Unions (KESK) is launching a series of mass demonstrations across Turkey to draw attention to the deep economic crisis and poverty faced by public employees and the general public. Under the slogan "WE CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET: WE ARE IN THE STREETS FOR A PRO-PEOPLE BUDGET AND A DEMOCRATIC TURKEY," KESK is calling for unity in the fight against poverty by organizing rallies in four major cities throughout November 2025.

The Confederation has invited not only public sector workers but also all citizens who "object to the exploitation and slavery system in the country," including all unions, confederations, and labour and democracy organizations, to these critical gatherings.

 

📅 Protest Schedule and Key Meeting Points

KESK’s action plan, set to send a strong message to the government before the upcoming budget discussions, is as follows:

Week I: Saturday, November 22

• SAMSUN: Cumhuriyet Square, Time: 13.00 (1 PM)

• ADANA: Uğur Mumcu Square, Time: 12.00 (12 PM)

Week II: Saturday, November 29

• İZMİR: Cumhuriyet Square, Time: 13.00 (1 PM)

• VAN: Musa Anter Peace Park, Time: 12.00 (12 PM)

 

💰 Focus of the Call: Demanding a Pro-Labour and Pro-People Budget

KESK stated that the primary goal of the demonstrations is to emphasize that the 2026 budget, currently under review in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), must be prepared with an understanding that prioritizes the interests of the people and labour, not capital. The loss of purchasing power experienced by public employees and retirees, who are being crushed by inflation and high costs of living, will be the central theme of the protests.

In its call, the Confederation described the current economic system as a "system of exploitation and slavery," inviting all citizens to unite in common struggle against this structure:

"We call upon not only the working people but every citizen who 'objects to the exploitation and slavery system in the country,' all unions and confederations, labour and democracy organizations, to raise the demand for a Pro-Labour and Pro-People Budget and to Unite in the Fight Against Poverty!"

KESK specified that its demands are not limited to wage increases but also encompass structural issues such as tax justice, a living wage, secure employment, and the expansion of democratic rights.

 

📣 Goal: Forming a Broad Participation Bloc

Through these massive gatherings in four different regions, KESK aims to establish a national labour front against economic injustice. The union conveys the message that increasing poverty and the regression of democratic rights can only be reversed through the joint action of all components of social opposition. Major civil society organizations, including other public and private sector confederations, are expected to heed this call.