Mavis: Not Minimum Wage Hikes But State Increases Fuel Inflation

Speaking on the programme “Tarafsız Bakış” broadcast on Northern Cyprus TV, where he answered questions from Seval Oyaltan, Mavis brought a scientific perspective to the debate on the minimum wage and also addressed allegations of corruption and the deterioration of the education system.

“There Is No Scientific Data, Only Perception”

Mavis said claims that minimum wage increases are the main reason for the rise in the cost of living are unfounded, adding that economic balances are being misread.

“Those who claim that prices rise because the minimum wage increases have no concrete data in hand. Similar studies conducted in Turkey prove that the impact of such increases on inflation is, contrary to popular belief, very low. Minimum wage earners are not the scapegoat,” he said.

“The State Is Responsible”

According to Mavis, the real driver of inflation is the state, not the minimum wage. He said prices are pushed up by fuel, electricity, fees, taxes and a lack of supervision, all of which fall under state control. He added that these state-imposed increases directly push up the inflation basket.

Describing the fact that the same products are cheaper in the south of Cyprus in euro terms as a result of “lack of oversight”, Mavis stressed that minimum wage earners have not yet been able to recover the loss in their purchasing power over the past five months.

“We Are Experiencing Political And Moral Decay”

Touching on allegations of corruption, Mavis called for the government to resign, making a broader social self-criticism. He said unqualified appointments have made the bureaucracy “open to improper offers”, adding:

“Under the current administration, there is neither social nor moral decency left. Under normal circumstances, those responsible should resign in the face of such corruption. As unions and as a society, we should have reacted much more strongly before things reached this point.”

“There Is A Budget In Education, But No Service”

Assessing the situation in education, Mavis said the budget is being used inefficiently and schools have effectively turned into construction sites.

He noted that almost the entire education budget is spent on personnel costs, leaving no resources for technological infrastructure or the construction of new schools.

Stating that 18 per cent of schools are under construction, Mavis said the lack of psychological counsellors and guidance teachers, combined with a growing culture of violence, has led to incidents of bullying even among children as young as 10.

He added that a “climate of fear” has emerged in which teachers refrain from intervening with students out of concern that they could face assault allegations or other accusations, further undermining the quality of education.