05.02.2026 01:31
Muharrem Ünal, who worked for the Foça Municipality for 26 years and retired due to health issues, stated that he has not received his severance pay and expressed his outrage. When the issue was brought to the council by AK Party members, the response from CHP president Saniye Bora Fıçıcı, saying "It doesn't concern me," drew significant backlash.
After working for 26 years at Foça Municipality, Muharrem Ünal, who retired due to health issues, protested by stating that he had not received his severance pay. When the issue was brought to the council by AK Party members, the response from CHP Mayor Saniye Bora Fıçıcı, "It doesn't concern me," caused outrage.
Muharrem Ünal, who retired in 2024 after suffering a heart attack, expressed his discontent with the municipality, stating that he had not received his severance pay. Ünal described his experience as a "double standard."
INJURED IN A TERROR ATTACK, SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK
According to a report by Foça Gündem, Muharrem Ünal started working as a permanent worker at Foça Municipality in 1998 and held various positions within the municipality.
Ünal recounted that he was injured in the second bomb explosion while helping wounded soldiers during a terrorist attack in Foça in 2012, and that he could not walk for about 1.5 years.
Stating that he retired due to health issues after suffering a heart attack in 2024, Ünal expressed that he requested his severance pay following this process.
"THEY TOLD ME TO SUE"
Ünal noted that during a meeting with the Financial Affairs Directorate, he was informed that no payment could be made to him, and he used the following statements:
"It was said that the municipality was in debt. I was told that I could take it to court if I wished. So, I filed a lawsuit. About 15 friends like me followed the same path."
It was reported that the workers won the case after approximately 1.5 years of litigation.
"WE WON'T PAY INTEREST OR ATTORNEY FEES"
Ünal stated that he requested his severance pay along with legal interest and attorney fees, which the municipality refused to pay.
He mentioned that he was only told that the principal amount from 2024 could be paid to him, and he was warned that if he did not accept, the case would be taken to the appellate court and the process would be prolonged, saying, "This was clearly a pressure tactic. It was a form of blackmail."
"THOSE WHO RETIRED AFTER ME RECEIVED THEIR PAYMENTS"
Ünal emphasized that employees who retired after him received their severance pay in two or three installments, and those who retired during the same period but did not file a lawsuit also received their payments, stating, "I have no issue with the institution to which I dedicated 26 years. However, it is unacceptable for me to be treated differently than others."
THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL
The events were also brought to the Foça Municipality Council. AK Party council member Murat Yıldız asked Mayor Saniye Fıçı about the situation of the workers who had not received their severance pay.
The response from Mayor Fıçı shocked those attending the council meeting. Mayor Fıçı drew significant backlash with her words, "Our friends working in financial affairs have created a method; frankly, I don't know. It doesn't concern me much."
Muharrem Ünal stated that his only request was to receive the severance pay that had been confirmed by the court decision and expressed his desire for the process to be resolved as soon as possible.