Turkish Public Workers Union Birleşik Kamu-İş Calls for Nationwide Strike on December 19th!

🔥 Power of Labor Against Poverty: Public Employees Demand Wages Above the Poverty Line Amid Economic Crisis

ANKARA, Turkey – The Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation (United Public Workers Union) has announced a radical decision to stage a nationwide work stoppage on December 19, 2025, protesting the government's pro-capital economic policies and the severe erosion of public employees' wages due to high inflation. The union declared it refuses to pay the price for an economic crisis for which its members are not responsible.

📉 KAMU-AR Data Shocks: Hunger Threshold Exceeds 30,000 TL

Research data from the union’s R&D unit, KAMU-AR (Public Research), for November 2025 highlights the dire situation facing millions of workers:

• Hunger Threshold (Açlık Sınırı): The minimum monthly spending required for a healthy and balanced diet reached 30,327 Turkish Liras.

• Poverty Threshold (Yoksulluk Sınırı): The total spending required to cover basic needs for a family of four stands at 93,697 Turkish Liras.

The Confederation argues that while wages are increased based on TÜİK's (Turkish Statistical Institute) artificially lowered inflation figures, the actual inflation experienced in markets means workers’ incomes are rapidly sinking below the poverty line, moving toward the hunger threshold.

⚖️ Budget for Workers, Not for Capital

Birleşik Kamu-İş sharply criticized the national budget structure, accusing the government of abandoning the principle of the social state. The union stated that the burden of the budget is heavily placed on the shoulders of workers and retirees through indirect taxes, while public resources are channeled to privileged capital groups and companies via tax amnesties and transfers.

"The poor population pays the most taxes but receives the least service. Public funds must be allocated to the needs of citizens, not to the profit columns of companies. The budget is the common resource of the people; the largest share must be allocated to the poor, including workers, retirees, youth, and the disabled."

✊ 7 Key Demands Against the 'Budget of Misery'

To ensure public funds benefit the people and workers receive fair compensation, Birleşik Kamu-İş has issued a firm 7-point demand list:

1. Wages: Demand for salaries above the Poverty Threshold.

2. Fixed Increase (Seyyanen Zam): Fixed increases must be granted to all workers and retirees, not just a select group.

3. Retirement Pay: Full reflection of supplementary payments into retirement pensions.

4. Income Tax: Fixing the income tax rate at 15% for all workers.

5. Inflation Difference: Monthly payment of the inflation difference (due to high real inflation).

6. Bonuses: Payment of 4 bonuses annually.

7. Assistance: Provision of rental assistance (Kira Yardımı).

The Confederation concluded its announcement with a powerful call: "We demand our share of the national income! Against the Budget of Misery, we are walking out on December 19th, using the power that comes from production, for a just distribution!"