29.11.2025 13:15
The claim that İZFAŞ spent 1.3 million TL for three dinners and approximately 3 million TL for a six-day trip to China has sparked controversy in İzmir. Uğur İnan Atmaca from the AK Party argued that while the municipality does not pay its workers, it incurs such high expenses, stating that savings should start from the management levels, not from the workers.
The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's fair organization company İZFAŞ has recently come to the agenda due to a one-week sit-in protest by the union, claiming that it has not paid its employees' social rights for three months. Now, the company's million-dollar expenditures have sparked controversy.
AK PARTY MEMBER RAISED THE ISSUE
Uğur İnan Atmaca, the AK Party Group Spokesperson of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council, claimed during his speech at the İZSU General Assembly that İZFAŞ spent a total of 1.3 million TL for three dinners, as well as 2 million 980 thousand TL for a six-day trip to China.
1.3 MILLION TL FOR 3 DINNERS
The expenditure items announced by Atmaca in the council are as follows:
- September 3, 2025 – Marriott Hotel: 745 thousand 349 TL
- September 4, 2025 – Monteis Mansion: 536 thousand TL
- Another dinner in Urla: 63 thousand 640 TL
Atmaca emphasized that these expenditures were made "one day apart" and criticized the municipality's financial discipline approach.
"2 MILLION 980 THOUSAND TL FOR A 6-DAY TRIP TO CHINA"
According to a report in Sabah; in addition to the dinners, Atmaca stated that 2 million 980 thousand TL was taken from the company’s coffers for İZFAŞ's six-day trip to China. Noting that the details of the expenditure were not disclosed, Atmaca said, "We do not know who went and what was done." He cited the cost of another trip to Japan as 1,700 dollars per person, saying, "There is a huge gap between the figures."
"START SAVINGS WITH WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS"
Atmaca referred to the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's plans to reduce personnel, stating that savings are always "cut from the workers" and made a strong criticism: "If personnel reductions are to be made, it should start with white-collar workers. We do not find it right that the bill is always handed to the poor workers."
Reminding that there are 33 companies under the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Atmaca drew attention to the financial burden of the managerial positions in these companies:
- 33 general managers
- At least 66 deputy general managers
- The total of 7-member boards of directors is approximately 250 people
Atmaca concluded his speech by stating, "You cannot find a way out by placing the burden solely on the shoulders of the workers."