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Social security bill to cut benefits to former deputies
The relevant sentence in the bill reads: "Those whose membership in the Turkish Parliament ends are paid a monthly representation pay provided that their eligibility for deputy election as set forth in Article 76 of the Constitution continues." This implies that former deputies who are no longer eligible for election as members of Parliament will not paid representation pay.
Currently, the Chief republic prosecutor has applied to Parliament for removal of parliamentary immunity for eight deputies of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP). If after removal of their immunity, these deputies are convicted for crimes committed against the indivisible integrity of the state under Article 14 of the Constitution, they will be deprived of representation pay.
Article 76 of the Constitution provides that a person who has been sentenced to prison for one year or more or who has been convicted of embezzlement, bribery, theft, smuggling, terrorism or similar crimes shall not be eligible for election as a deputy even if they are pardoned.
In the 22nd legislative term, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Turhan Çömez, Afyon deputy İbrahim Hakkı Aşkar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) Yozgat deputy Mehmet Erdemir had submitted a motion for the abolishment of pensions to former DEP deputies. The motion argued that deputies whose ties with terrorist organizations are confirmed with a judicial decision should not be paid pensions and that they should also not be paid representation pay. The provision inserted into the social security reform bill spells a fulfillment of their proposal.
Former deputies are paid representation pay and, if they are eligible for retirement, pensions. Currently, retired deputies are paid YTL 4,000 monthly while YTL 2,000 of it is paid as representation pay. Thus those deputies who are not eligible for retirement get only YTL 2,000.
This provision will affect not only former DEP deputies, but also the deputies of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP) and Virtue Party (FP). Thus former RP deputies Şevki Yılmaz and Halil İbrahim Çelik and former FP deputies Nazlı Ilıcak, Bekir Sobacı and Mehmet Sılay will no longer be eligible for representation pay.
Meanwhile, the social security reform introduces fast-track retirement for young deputies and eligibility for representation pay. Thus about 350 deputies will get representation pay. Moreover, spouses, children and parents of deputies will get several benefits. A total of around 7,000 people may use these benefits.
The controversial reform introduces changes to the actual service compensation, or "wear pay." It removes the wear pay for journalists, postmen and law enforcement officials while preserving it for members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Security General Directorate and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT). Thus this provision may provoke protests from the members of several professions.
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