TCC Press Review 23 Dec 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Gross ₺7,000 (€515), net ₺6,090 (€449)

The employers’ representative abandoned the meeting; the worker-state reps approved a 40.84 per cent rise to the minimum wage. Now all eyes are turned to the Council of Ministers. The minimum wage has for the first time is higher than the lowest public sector salary of 6,076 (€448). The member of the employers said, “We can’t pay this figure, we will appeal against this decision.”

  • 400 people apply to work in the south.

Kıbrıs

The new minimum wage set at ₺7,000 (€515) gross, ₺6,090 (€449) net

The commission tasked to identify the new minimum wage convened yesterday. While representatives of the government and trade unions agreed to a 40 per cent increase to the minimum wage, representatives of the employers left the meeting before the decision was taken. The employer representatives said the businesses will not be able to pay the new minimum wage which will enter into force on January 1.

Havadis

Switching to the Euro is not a fantasy but a need

Trade unions in the TRNC believe it is possible to switch to using the Euro as the main currency. The trade union representatives, who explained that the accountancy units will first be pegged to the Euro during the transition period, pointed out that the economic scheme implemented in Turkey to protect savings in the Turkish lira against the fluctuating value of the foreign currencies was a good example.

  • We will improve the derailed relations with the EU – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman talked about what they will do when they come to power after January 23 elections.
  • The first minimum wage leads to a crisis – The first minimum wage amount for 2022 was identified during the meeting of the commission tasked to identify the new amount. The representatives of the employers reacted to the new wage, which is 7,000 (€500) gross and ₺6,090 (€435) net but the state and the trade union representatives approved.
  • Another step was taken towards their goal – The Greek Cypriot side’s energy programme was launched with the exploratory drilling in block 10.

Diyalog

It’s dark everywhere

While the AKSA (private electricity firm) power plant is cutting down production due to the ₺400m it is owed. KIB-TEK (Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority) on the other hand is facing difficulties finding money to purchase fuel which will run out on January 6.

  • They’re smiling –The number of tourists who visited South Cyprus in the last 11 months has reached 1.840m.
  • Most of the applications are for hotels and restaurants – SEK General Secretary Matsas says over 400 Turkish Cypriots have applied for work.

Avrupa

Surprise – A gift from Santa Claus

It does not matter if you call it election bribery but the minimum wage was increased by 40 per cent. The new wage is ₺7,000 (€515) gross and ₺6,090 (€449) net. It will enter into force from January 1 onwards.

  • The representatives of employers will take the new wage to the courtsMetin Arhun, head of the Employers’ Union said they will not be able to pay the new minimum wage and will be forced to lay off staff. He said they will have to take the matter to the courts.

Main News

Erhürman: The Cyprob can only be solved based on a federation

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday reiterated his party’s view that the Cyprus problem can only be solved based on the bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) based on the political equality of the two communities. He also argued that “those advocating for a two-state settlement are also fully aware of this fact.”

Addressing CTP supporters during a campaign visit to Kyrenia, Erhürman said “Like everything else in the country, the Cyprus negotiations process has also been derailed.”

He argued that the problems being experienced with the Green Line Trade regulation and the Financial Aid regulation were because the Turkish Cypriot leadership had abandoned efforts to reach a federal settlement.

“Both the president and the government are working tirelessly to erase all that has been achieved by the Turkish Cypriot side in the past,” Erhürman argued, warning that they need to realise the Turkish Cypriots suffer as a result of their policies the most.

Erhürman also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side’s relations with the EU has also been derailed and CTP is the only party in the north that can help rebuild those relations.

Meanwhile, CTP leader Erhürman and the party’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Fikri Toros on Wednesday received the German Ambassador Anke Schlimm. In a statement issued, Erhürman shared the CTP’s position vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem as well as the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

Erhürman reiterated that the solution of the Cyprus problem can only be a BBF model in line with UN resolutions and parameters. He also stressed the importance of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and reassured the German Ambassador of CTP’s continued support for the implementation of high-impact CBMs.

KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> CTP remains committed to a BBF in Cyprus which is the only way to solve the Cyprob.
>> CTP is the only party that can reverse the damage caused by the current TC leadership.


Destici: “I’m shocked to still see people in favour of a federation”

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Mustafa Destici, the leader of Turkey’s Great Union Party (BBP) on Wednesday said the entire Turkish Cypriot community must abandon the idea of a federal settlement and support efforts to seek political and diplomatic recognition of the TRNC.  

Holding a press conference to evaluate his visit to the north, Destici praised the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar for “maintaining a determined position on the Cyprus problem despite baseless and insolent remarks made by some of the opposition towards him.”

Destici also noted that he is “shocked to see people still advocating for a federal settlement on the island,” and said, “I cannot comprehend such a mentality after so many atrocities were committed against the Turkish Cypriots in the past.”

He urged the Turkish Cypriots to “unify behind the goal for international recognition of the north” and said it will only be then possible to be stronger at the negotiations table.

Destici said he also found the opportunity to visit the reopened sections of Maraş (Varosha) and expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriot side will eventually win the argument that the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus.


New minimum wage identified w/ 40 per cent increase

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Economy

OVERVIEW

The new minimum wage was identified on Wednesday bringing slight relief to people with low-end jobs in the private sector struggling to make ends meet following the plunge in the value of the Turkish Lira and consequent price hikes

The new monthly wage, which will enter into force from January 1 onwards, is ₺7,000 (€515) gross and ₺6,090 (€449) net. The new amount is 40 per cent higher than the amount identified on September 1.

The new minimum wage was decided during the first meeting of the Commission, which is made from representatives from the government, trade unions and employers, tasked with the responsibility to identify the new amount in line with relevant laws in force.

It emerged that the representatives of the employers were not pleased with the new amount and left the meeting.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot dailies citing the Greek Cypriot press reported that over 400 Turkish Cypriots have applied for jobs in the south through the SEK trade union. The dailies said that most of them are seeking jobs in the hospitality sector.  


EC donates €2.6m to the CMP


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

The European Commission (EC) has signed a new agreement for the Support to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), deciding to provide €2.6m., the Turkish Cypriot dailies report on Thursday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EC said the financial aid is for the year 2022. “The European Union’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community continues to provide assistance to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus,” the statement read, adding that this is the 13th delegation agreement between the EC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

It also noted the Commission, since 2006 has provided €33m in support of the work of CMP, demonstrating the strong commitment of the European Commission to peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Cyprus.

The statement said the EC supports the work of bicommunal Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientific teams involved in all stages of the process as well as awareness-raising activities.

“These activities contribute to achieving a better understanding of mutual concerns and foster cooperation between the Cypriot communities,” the statement read, adding that the CMP humanitarian mandate contributes to providing relief to the families of missing persons constituting a crucial aspect of the overall efforts for reconciliation in the island.

Since 2006, the remains of 1020 missing persons have been identified and returned to their families, the statement concluded.


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