Türk Sağlık-Sen İzmir reacts to salary hikes: Inflation difference is a right, not a favor

The determination of the salary increase rate for civil servants at 13,52% following the latest data released by the Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TÜİK) has caused disappointment among public employees. Reactions particularly from health workers, who are on the frontline, reveal the gap between official figures and real life. Türk Sağlık-Sen İzmir Üniversiteler Şubesi made a harsh statement, arguing that these announced data will not be sufficient to extinguish the fire on market shelves and in citizens' wallets. The union persists in its stance that official inflation data does not reflect the cost of life felt in the field.

In the written statement, it was emphasized that the inflation difference, often presented to the public as a 'raise', should not be perceived as an extra gain or a favor in any way. Türk Sağlık-Sen İzmir Üniversiteler Şubesi Başkanı Öğr. Gör. Dr. Ahmet İlker Gürsoy stated that the inflation difference is merely a way to compensate for past losses in salaries and is an 'at least' step taken to preserve the purchasing power of employees. Gürsoy summarized the situation as 'back to square one' (sıfıra sıfır elde var sıfır), expressing that the erosion of money in civil servants' hands could not be prevented.

Nurses, technicians, and doctors working sacrificially day and night in university hospitals are increasing the magnitude of the economic difficulties they face day by day. The salary increase, calculated based on TÜİK data showing a monthly increase of 0,99%, has melted away and lost its importance against the hikes in rent, food, and transportation. Health workers state that they are fighting an economic war of liberation among themselves and that in this war, their ammunition, namely financial means, is gradually depleting.

Union officials announced that the announced 13,52% increase is inadequate to sustain human living standards and demanded an immediate raise and welfare pay. It was stated that the economic well-being of health workers, who worked putting their lives on the line for the health of the Turkish people in many crises from the pandemic process to the present, is now at a negligible level. The statement said, 'The economic well-being of health workers who shed their sweat in the field for the health of the Turkish people during the pandemic, war, natural disasters, and all kinds of extraordinary situations has turned into a penny,' clearly expressing that these so-called raises will not fix this situation.

Finally, the message was highlighted that the problem is not just about numbers and that the personnel in university hospitals are treated like 'stepchildren' regarding financial rights. The union demands the elimination of injustice in the base and incentive payments and the salary system reflecting on retirement for personnel crushed under heavy workloads. It was emphasized that university compensation should be granted to all employees so that intern students actively serving in the field can receive the compensation they deserve; otherwise, it will not be possible to fully ensure a stance of respect for labor.