Labour Party (EMEP) Chair Ercüment Akdeniz, has commented on the government's reform package on a live interview on Facebook, moderated by Gökhan Çetin. On the programme titled "What are the benefits of the governments reform package for workers and the general public?" Akdeniz, said that such reforms were an attempt at protecting the interests of domestic and international capitalists. He further declared that, ‘this is not a reform but rather a counter-reform against the masses and workers.”.
"THE GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS SMOOTHED THE WAY FOR THE CAPITAL OWNERS WILL NOT STOP THERE. THERE IS YET MORE TO COME IN THE FORM OF NEW TAX REDUCTIONS"
Commenting on the so-called reform packages which are pending to be put forward for parliamentary approval, Akdeniz said: “The reform packages can be separated into two phases. The first phase covers economic and legal reforms. Under the proposed economic changes there is a clause relating to commercial disputes which requires the firms to resolve their disputes by taking it to an arbitration committee rather than the courts. This is an attempt to outweigh the power of the courts and reach a speedy resolution. However, there is a question mark over how these arbitration committees are going to be overseen. How will they be supervised and by whom? It seems that this loophole is likely to lead to many firms avoiding inspection to ensure that they are following the regulations. We are told that the second phase is going to cover tax reductions. Tax reductions for companies is not a new concept. The government has done this before. However, we are being told that the new wave of reductions is the biggest yet. During the talks regarding the 2021 budget many big debts accrued by large companies were erased. In stark contrast to this, not even a single debt accrued by those working on the minimum wage was erased. This clearly shows that the government is trying to protect the needs of the capital not of the people.
"THOUSANDS OF WORKERS FACE INSECURITY"
When firms are making new commitments, and securing new contracts their waiting times are going to be reduced. “This will inevitably lead to corruption. The new changes are a way of legalising such corruptions already seen in many large companies. With the absence of any supervision from an overseeing body it is likely that the corruption will intensify. Also, it is thought that a new charging order is going to be imposed amongst the new plans. For example, if a factory failed to pay for its workforce for the work that they have done, the workers might decide to impose a cautionary judgement on the machinery to protect their rights. However, the new laws will make this illegal by imposing a new charging order. Hence, it seems that many workers are going to be left without any security”.
"NO MATTER WHAT REFORMS ARE INTRODUCED, THEY WILL DO LITTLE TO CONVINCE THE EU"
Commenting on the new legal reforms, Akdeniz said the following: “There are talks between the EU and the US. Currently US’s CAATSA practice is on the agenda. March is a critical month for Turkey. As this is the predicted timeframe, talks on Turkey will begin between both parties. To look favourable in such talks, the government is imposing legal reforms to look favourable. However, there are concerns over the genuinity of government's attempts. Such concern is especially upheld by TÜSİAD, the business association. How these reforms are going to be shaped or how convincing are they is yet to be seen. As we are faced with a government who has dishonoured the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. A government which has failed its contractual promises which they have signed. How are they going to convince the EU now over their intentions of new reforms? No matter what reforms are put in place it will do very little to convince the EU over governments sincerity in implementing them.”
"REFORMS TO ENCOURAGE INETERNATIONAL CAPITAL"
Akdeniz also expressed his opinions over the international reforms aimed at encouraging international investors.
"The government is laying a red carpet for international capital. They are making it easier for international investors to come to the country and buy our resources. The reforms are centred around offering domestic and international capital owners more security. This is precisely the reason why these reforms have not been declared until now. They were delayed. There are disagreements between the AKP party over the reforms. Furthermore, there is an implication that there is not a strong consensus over the subject reforms even amongst the capital owners, hence the need for a further consultation period. These are not reforms but in fact counter-reforms which are aimed at the majority. The public should not raise their hopes of benefiting from such reforms. The reforms will be followed by counter-reforms. Hence, they need to be prepared for that. They need to be in a position to defend their rights and the gains they have made so far. This is the typicality of a one-man rule. It needs to increasingly become more authoritarian to survive. Hence, we should expect more pressure on our freedoms and rights”.
"THE BIGGEST REFORM THEY HAVE MADE WAS THE PRESIDENTIAL REFORM"
The AKP-MHP (nationalist party) bloc parties cannot easily say "we will win this election outright" . This is the reason why they are arranging so many meetings, such as the meetings with the Saadet (Felicity) Party. These talks and meetings are not without a reason. “If they cannot win the election through regular ways, they will attempt to win through irregular ways as was seen previously during the elections of 7th June 2015. The biggest reform they have made was the change to the presidential rule. Now, there are talks over the need for that to be reformed too".
"Z GENERATION WILL NOT FORGET, THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S FEAR"
Commenting on Erdogan’s statement that "the Z generation would not know the social security system in place, they need to be taught", Akdeniz said that “Z generation would not know the old Turkey, that is true. However, as the EMEP party we have never defended or idealised the old Turkey. We defend a democratic, free country led by the masses. When first came to power the AKP promised eliminating poverty, corruption and restrictions on peoples' freedoms; however they have failed at delivering these promises as these are still great issues which are yet to be resolved. In fact, they have worsened during the AKP rule. The Z generation which has only seen the AKP rule have seen people queuing for bread because they cannot afford to feed their families. They have seen the government's handling of the pandemic. They have witnessed their parents forcibly being taken to hospitals and factories to work. They have witnessed the shortfalls of online education. Many are missing on vital education because they do not have access to sufficient infrastructure or technology. They will not forget this. This is the true fear of the government. They fear that the youth would vote against them at the polls and stand up for their rights.” (EVRENSEL DAILY)
Yusuf Karadaş
Yücel Özdemir
