Koop-Sen Head: Salaries Being Used as a Weapon Against Employees

Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası, Güröz said that despite management in the affected cooperatives taking necessary steps, Koopbank has yet to pay employee salaries. He explained that the delay stems from the Ministry of Finance holding up the bank’s borrowing request, which is required for the bank to disburse salaries.

“Requesting borrowing from the Finance Ministry essentially involves using the state budget,” Güröz noted, adding that while state-owned institutions might follow such a procedure, cooperatives and the bank are private entities, making the requirement absurd and contradictory. He stressed that private institutions should manage borrowing according to their own financial capacities, and the same principle should apply to cooperative subsidiaries.

The issue has also been complicated by delays in convening a committee formed under a protocol between the Prime Ministry, the Deputy Prime Ministry, and the union, tasked with reviewing financial arrangements. Güröz said the Deputy Prime Ministry, affiliated with the Democratic Party (DP), has stalled the process, reportedly telling the union, “You resolved this with the Prime Minister, go settle it with him.” Despite not being responsible for the delay, Güröz said the union is still trying to mediate and bring parties to the table constructively.

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Güröz said, “Salaries are being used as a weapon,” warning that the requirement for Finance Ministry approval for credit to cooperative subsidiaries is preventing timely wage payments and putting undue pressure on workers. He emphasized that this delay, which has lasted three days, could become a chronic issue if not addressed.

The ongoing payment problems have fueled public concern over the sustainability of salary disbursements in TRNC cooperatives.