Call for a raise in the minimum wage from a partner of the People's Alliance.

01.04.2026 18:31

The General President of BBP, Mustafa Destici, stated that due to the rising prices following the attack of the USA and Israel on Iran, there should be an increase in the minimum wage, saying, "The minimum wage is not increasing, but the prices of milk, meat, bread, and bus fares are rising. If you are increasing fuel prices with the escalator system, then increase the minimum wage with the escalator system as well. At least update it daily, or monthly. At least update it every three months, or if not, every six months."

BBP General Chairman Mustafa Destici evaluated the agenda at the weekly press conference held at the party's headquarters. Congratulating the A National Football Team for their victory against Kosovo, Destici said, "Especially the World Cup and the European Cup are a kind of honor struggle for countries. Our children represent our star and crescent jersey, which takes its color from the blood of our martyrs, with this sensitivity and feeling, beyond just being a football player in national matches."

"THERE IS NO PARTY OF CORRUPTION"

Stating that the death of the 16-year-old girl who was allegedly harassed by the Mayor of Görele, who is facing a lawsuit, is suspicious, Destici spoke about the operations against CHP municipalities as follows:

"We witness incidents filled with corruption, immorality, and abuse related to some municipalities almost every day. We are following the investigations. We are monitoring the detentions and arrests. Of course, we pointed out a few points when all these processes began. We said that everything should proceed within the framework of law and democracy. Secondly, the presumption of innocence must be protected, and these should be conducted with the principle of impartiality. We carry the same thoughts and opinions. I want to say that Turkey, the Turkish nation, and Turkish politics do not deserve the decay, corruption, and lack of decency we are facing. The noble and Muslim Turkish nation is certainly not worthy of this. I say it clearly. This nation does not deserve the incidents that are happening. I mean, if this nation elects a mayor, that mayor cannot harass a 16-year-old child or live an unofficial life with the secretary he hired.

I am truly astonished at how the CHP Chairman and management stand by this incident that is happening right before all our eyes. I mean, what is their duty? It should be to say, 'Whoever has done wrong, even if it is my father's son, I will cut him off like I would cut my nail.' I will send him to the law, let him account for it, brother. He should account for the immorality he has committed. If there is theft, he should account for that too. He should be cleared and come back. The fact that the CHP Women's Branch or other women's associations support this immorality happening before the eyes of the nation is truly a heartbreaking and pitiful situation. I pity them. I cannot find a single word to say. At least you should react.

Therefore, everyone needs to set aside partisanship and fight together against corruption, immorality, and decay. There cannot be an A party, B party, or C party in this. Because this country is ours, these people are ours, these children are ours, these young people are ours. Therefore, we have an obligation and responsibility to protect our country, our nation, our children, and our youth together. We invite everyone, every political party, to fulfill the requirements of this responsibility. Everyone should trust the judiciary. Yes, the judiciary can be slow, clumsy, and limping, but ultimately, the judiciary performs its duty, and the finger that the law cuts does not hurt."

"MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE INCREASED"

Stating that there is no justifiable reason for the attacks of the US and Israel on Iran, Destici expressed that prices have increased due to the war, but wages have remained fixed. Reminding that this war has an economic cost to the world and Turkey, he said:

"As soon as oil prices go up, fuel prices automatically go up here as well, and as soon as they go up, all food prices, from milk to meat, from bread to vegetables, and other raw material prices will also rise. And it rises so much that if oil increases by 10%, food prices increase by 30% here. This is where dishonesty begins. The green pepper that costs 500 lira in Ankara was 129 lira when we went to Erzurum that day, where the Metropolitan Municipality opened a Public Market. Can such a thing be possible? Such a thing is unacceptable. But unfortunately, these exist. They are doing these. We have been talking about these for years. These must be monitored. You have to impose such a penalty that they will not dare to do it, whether it is a monetary fine, imprisonment, or a business closure penalty.

Because let's say the minimum wage. Is the man's salary increasing right now? It is not. It will not increase in July either. In our opinion, it needs to increase. It should be renewed every 6 months. Inflation updates should be made. But last year, it was not increased despite all our statements. But the prices of milk, meat, bread, peppers, bus fares, electricity bills, and natural gas bills are increasing. The man's salary has not increased for a year. How will he sustain his life? If you are increasing fuel prices with the escalator system, then increase the minimum wage with the escalator system as well. At least renew it daily, monthly. At least renew it every 3 months. If not, renew it every 6 months. The man is earning 28 thousand lira. Let's say diesel is 50 lira in January. Now the man's salary is still 28, but fuel has become 70. All food products, all goods have increased by 30% accordingly. But the man's salary is stagnant. Therefore, we need to ensure justice everywhere."

"WHERE IS THE NEGOTIATION, THERE WAS NO BARGAINING"

Speaking about the Terror-Free Turkey process, Destici said, "There has been a Terror-Free Turkey process ongoing since last year. What was said at the beginning of the process? 'An unconditional, non-negotiable process, the PKK will lay down its arms unconditionally, without bargaining or negotiation; not only will it lay down its arms, but it will also dissolve itself with all its elements.' Has this happened so far? No. Only 15 images of burning weapons, that's all."

Despite saying "there is no negotiation," Destici recounted that the Co-Chair of the DEM Party said, "Mr. Öcalan has not yet been moved. The main issue is the definition of the status of the chief negotiator. These negotiations need to be given a legal form." He continued his remarks as follows:

"So there is a negotiation process, this process is being conducted, and he says that these negotiations need to be given a legal form. I mean, we are not saying it, the woman is saying that there is a negotiation process, and we see it. It continues, 'Mr. Öcalan wants to meet with all intellectuals, writers, journalists, academics, politicians, and scientists in Turkey.' We also ask; does he want to meet with artists, influencers, or others? Or are they kept secret? He says, 'Whoever wants to establish a ferry line between İmralı and Istanbul, let them come and go.' He says, 'It is important to open this dialogue path and to ensure its ease both politically and technically.'

Following this, Öcalan also makes a statement. What does the terrorist leader say? 'We have no problem with the republic. The real issue is the undemocratic nature of the republic.' He does not define or see the Republic of Turkey as a democratic republic.

As the Great Unity Party, our view has been clear from the beginning. We see that their desire to fragment Turkey and to become a new tool of global imperialism in the region continues to grow, influenced by the ongoing war in the region. Of course, Turkey must be more cautious than ever. It must act in accordance with the state tradition inherited from history and the characteristics of being a rule of law state, and it is doing so. The spokespersons of the terrorist organization in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey are also demanding that İmralı Island be granted an almost autonomous structure, allowing the terrorist leader to manage his entire organization from there and to create an environment for easy communication with the organization's leaders. We also ask, where is the unconditional, unqualified, and without exception process? Where was there no negotiation or bargaining? Where was it only foreseeing the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the terrorist organization along with all its extensions? That is why we continue to be justified in what we have said from day one. Their issue is not about peace or brotherhood. Their demand, their true intention is the transformation of Turkey within the framework of PKK theses. Their concern and demand, even if they cannot openly say it today, is division; a separate state, a separate flag, a separate language. "