CHP Leader Özgür Özel: We absolutely do not accept a minimum wage below 25 thousand liras.

CHP Leader Özgür Özel called on the government to raise the minimum wage during the "We Can't Make Ends Meet" rally held in Gebze, Kocaeli. Özel said, "To those who say there won't be early elections, I warn you: If people can't make ends meet, there will be elections. We demand a minimum wage increase at least equal to inflation. We will never accept a minimum wage below 25,000 lira."

CHP ORGANIZES "WE CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET" RALLY IN KOCAELI

The Republican People's Party organized a rally called "We Can't Make Ends Meet" in Gebze, Kocaeli. Speaking at the event, CHP leader Özgür Özel called for early elections, stating that the people are struggling to make ends meet. Özel emphasized the need for a minimum wage increase at least equal to inflation.

ÖZEL: SHAME ON THIS SYSTEM

Özel said, "Everyone filling this square is saying 'We can't make ends meet.' Unfortunately, the unemployed from all over Turkey are here on behalf of everyone. You are raising your voice. Everyone here has one concern: not being able to make ends meet. We will not stop until we get what we deserve. Inflation is crushing us, but there is no wage increase. Shame on this system."

"WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL PENSION IS EQUAL TO MINIMUM WAGE"

The streets and squares belong to us. It is the right of the workers to receive their fair share. It is not acceptable to ask for patience only when it suits them. We will not get used to being crushed by inflation. We will fight to get the rights of workers and laborers. There has been no wage increase or share of prosperity. We will not stop until the pension is equal to the minimum wage.

"IF WE CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET, THERE WILL BE ELECTIONS"

We call on the government from here: if people can't make ends meet, there will be elections. To those who say there won't be early elections, I warn you: If people can't make ends meet, there will be elections. We stand with the farmers as well. To feed others, one must first be fed. We want a fair tax system. Salaries start to erode in the middle of the month due to calculations. The number of unemployed has increased by 1.2 million in one year. 552,000 tradesmen have closed their shutters. 500,000 farmers are lost. They burden the tradesmen with loan interest and pour wealth into the pockets of their cronies.

"THEY PORTRAY GETTING OFF THE GREY LIST AS AN ACHIEVEMENT"

They announced that we got off the grey list. They talk about it as if the grey list was left by Ecevit, Özal, Demirel. Today, when we barely get off the grey list, they portray it as an achievement. The grey list is Burkina Faso, Syria... countries where there are tax havens. Shame on those who portray this as an achievement.

"WE WILL NEVER ACCEPT A MINIMUM WAGE BELOW 25,000 LIRA"

Since the minimum wage was given, it has lost nearly 4,000 lira, today's 17,000 lira is equivalent to 13,000 lira back then. We demand a minimum wage increase at least equal to inflation. We will never accept a minimum wage below 25,000 lira."