Speaking to Today’s Zaman, Kudatgobilik said putting the relevant amendment in the reform package was their idea and that once the proposed change takes effect, civil society and the business world will also have a say in government policies.
"Today all of Western Europe is benefiting from it. It will be the same in Turkey, too. The final decision-making authority will continue to be the government, but the council is a consultative body and the government will have to heed what is discussed there. It will serve to help the economy and the people. All segments of society will be represented there,” he said.
Currently, the ESK’s functions are completely up to the government. It has not gathered even once over the past 21 months. Once the proposed package of 26 constitutional amendments is approved, it will meet four times a year. The council is chaired by the prime minister and attended by a few other government representatives.
The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Civil Servants’ Trade Union (Memur-Sen), the Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Türk-İş), the Turkish Tradesmen’s and Artisans’ Confederation (TESK), the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (Hak-İş), the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions (DİSK) and TİSK are all represented at the council’s meetings with three officials.
