In 2006, the Constitutional Court overturned Law No 5510 on Social Security and Health Insurance. An amended draft was presented to the public on 25 October 2007, and trade unions have protested vehemently against a possible implementation, arguing that rights are being eroded and Turkey will become even less egalitarian.
The draft on a reform in the social security and health insurance law waiting for approval in parliament foresees that:
KESK has accused Turkey of spending only around 10 percent of its budget on social security, compared to up to 30 percent in European Union countries.
In response to this draft, the Turkish Confederation of Trade Unions of Workers (Türk-Is) has declared that it represents a loss of all the rights workers have gained. Türk-Is president Mustafa Kumlu has called for a rejection of the draft.
On 13 March, there will be mass press statements in Turkey, and on 14 March, there will be a 2-hour warning strike.
“Should the law be considered in parliament despite the warnings, then members of the Labour Platform will gather in Ankara and communicate their reaction to parliament," says Kumlu.
Mustaf Türkel, general secretary of Türk-Is, said that the budget deficit in the Turkish social security system was due to the black economy and unregistered employment. Rather than increasing the load of those working officially, the government should allow the organisation of workers and prevent employment without insurance. (EÜ/GG/AG)
This article used informatiom from Democrat Radio, as well as the websites of KESK and Egitim-Sen.