Erhürman: Citizenship-Based Worker Discrimination

Speaking in parliament, Erhürman also raised concerns over allegations that a large number of firearm licenses had been issued and condemned the lack of responses to parliamentary inquiries on the matter.

"No Response to Firearm License Allegations"

Touching upon the firearm license issue, Erhürman emphasized that it had been a matter of public debate for a long time. He noted that despite multiple written and verbal inquiries from various MPs, the government had failed to provide any answers. "There are ongoing allegations that a large number of firearm licenses have been issued. There are written inquiries from Ürün Bey, Ayşegül Hanım, and Salahi Bey under the Right to Information Law, all of which remain unanswered. I also requested figures from Dursun Bey verbally. Today, we demand an official response," he said.

Referring to the four-party coalition government period, Erhürman stated that not a single firearm license application had been approved during that time. "I don’t even need to explain why this is a sensitive issue," he added, pointing out that 24 written parliamentary inquiries remain unanswered, forcing MPs to resort to verbal questions.

"Parliamentary questions are being ignored, damaging the credibility of the legislature. This is not a matter of answering at your convenience; you need to take responsibility," he warned.

"Workers Should Not Be Differentiated by Citizenship"

Addressing social security premium support, Erhürman criticized the government's unclear and inconsistent policies.

"First, you announced that minimum wage earners would not receive a cost-of-living adjustment. Then, you declared that only TRNC citizens would receive salary support, as if non-citizens shop at different supermarkets. At a time when the economy is shifting southward, you are choosing to support only TRNC citizens while excluding others. We simply do not understand what you are trying to achieve," he said.

He further noted that the government was making policy decisions based on public reaction rather than a clear economic plan.

"Social Security Fund Was Established to Support Employment"

Erhürman questioned the rationale behind providing 80% social security premium support only for TRNC citizens, pointing out that the fund was originally designed to promote employment regardless of nationality. He also recalled that during the pandemic, foreign workers had also benefited from this fund.

"Currently, social security contributions are paid by 75,000 TRNC citizens, 45,000 Turkish citizens, and 30,000 third-country nationals. In other words, half of the contributors are non-citizens, and a significant portion of TRNC citizens work in the public sector. If you introduce an 80% subsidy for TRNC citizens, will the existing 50% subsidy for others continue? Will third-country nationals continue to receive lower minimum wages?" he asked.

Concluding his speech, Erhürman called on the government to clarify its stance on salary support, social security premium subsidies, and minimum wage policies for foreign workers.