Front Page Headlines
‘We keep on tightening our belts, but debt is growing’
Yenidüzen is the first to publish the report “Socio-economic and Political Impact of Austerity Policies in North Cyprus”. The assessment report prepared by Associate Prof Dr Sertaç Sonan and Prof Dr Ömer Gökçekuş revealed the impact of austerity measures on the Turkish Cypriot economy, community and political life. The report states that as a result of the austerity measures, public sector employees, pensioners and recipients of social security benefits all saw their real incomes decline. As a result, the budget deficit had been reduced. However, public debt stock as a share of GDP is still too high. Furthermore, people who did not want to change their consumption patterns chose to borrow to make up for the loss in their real incomes, increasing household debt.
- “This protocol is designed not to send money” – Economist Devrim Barçın evaluated the latest Turkish-TRNC Financial Cooperation Protocol.
- 2,358 sought police protection in three years – March 8, the profile of violence against women is frightening.
We failed in raising employment for women
Today is March 8, International Women’s Day…Even though there have been some improvements in terms of women’s rights as a result of the steps taken in recent years, the same cannot be said in terms of the employment ratio. The women’s employment ratio was 32.3 per cent in 2010 according to the results of the household labour force surveys, and 33.3 per cent in 2020. According to the 2020 data, 86 per cent of the women employed as wage-earners whereas 11.6 per cent were self-employed. 2.3 per cent of them were working in the family business without pay. 41.5 per cent of the women not included in the labour market are housewives; 17.9 per cent are students; 17 per cent are retirees and 7.5 per cent are unemployable due to a physical or mental condition.
- 2000 tons of potatoes to go to waste – Engin Halkseven, Turkish Cypriot Potato Growers’ Association, said the EU citing the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse, will not allow potato exports to the south.
- ‘Fortune tax’ could be the remedy – Sector representatives are not pleased with the financial support packages announced by the government aimed at dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Economy experts believe there is another way to overcome the economic crisis.
Calls reports submitted as his own ‘projects’
Yusuf Avcıoğlu, a former board member of KIBTEK (Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority), harshly criticised the government’s energy policies and accused the (Economy and Energy) Minister Erhan Arıklı of ineptitude. Avcıoğlu added KIBTEK is not being managed properly at the moment. Accusing Arıklı of not knowing what he is doing, he said the minister has become a laughingstock for trying to sell off reports submitted to him by private companies as his projects.
- March 8 under the shadow of the pandemic – The International Day of Women activities are to be held this year under the shadow of the pandemic.
- As if we have just come out of war – Cafer Gürcafer, head of Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors Association (KTIMB) suggested the authorities should make development plans and implement a law to regulate bank interest rates on loans.
A real shame
The old harbour in Kyrenia, the tourism capital of the country, is crying out for help. The harbour is experiencing its worst days as a result of neglect and lack of maintenance. While the yacht harbour is full of rubbish and litter, the old Venetian era buildings overlooking the harbour have started to crumble.
- Preparation for Geneva – (UN Secretary-General) Antonio Guterres’s special envoy to meet with President Ersin Tatar today.
Ersan Saner came out of the lottery
Zeki Ziya, Pegasus Airlines (North) Cyprus representative spoke bitterly. Ziya said: (Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister) Ersan Saner handed over the 60 per cent market share we gained in 15 years to Turkish Airlines (THY)…Only three daily flights are being permitted, two flights belonging to THY and one to Pegasus. This is unacceptable! Saner became prime minister by coincidence…He is not able to fill the seat he is sitting in. Saner is taking orders from the THY General Manager because he does not have any self-confidence.
- Sniper training – Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus (KTBK) held sniper training.
Main News
Covid-19 has deepened societal inequalities
Yenidüzen, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Six Cypriot trade unions and members of the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) said women in Cyprus experienced more victimization during the pandemic as is the case in the entire world.
KTOEÖS (Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Union), OELMEK (Cyprus Secondary Education Greek Teachers Association), KTÖS (Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union), POED (Cyprus Primary school teachers’ union), DAÜSEN (Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Academic staff union) and OLTEK (Cyprus Vocational Education Greek Teachers Association), which are members of ETUCE, issued the joint statement to mark March 8, International Women’s Day.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has deepened the societal inequalities,” the statement read, adding that the governments’ policies to reduce the effects of the pandemic on the economy and society have unfortunately disregarded the problems specific to women.
The statement also pointed out that the pandemic has become a serious risk to women’s economic independence due to the lockdowns imposed across the island.
Moreover, the statement said that women who were subjected to domestic violence during the lockdown had limited access to support mechanisms. The trade unions reaffirmed their dedication to protect and to develop women’s social and political awareness while working towards achieving gender equality.
‘We keep on tightening our belts, but debt is growing’
Yenidüzen
Economy
OVERVIEW
Yenidüzen on Monday published the results of a study carried out on the socio-economic impact of austerity measures on the Turkish Cypriot economy, community and political life.
The report prepared by Associate Prof Dr Sertaç Sonan and Prof Dr Ömer Gökçekuş states that the change in the attitude of Ankara towards the Cyprus problem, with the coming to power of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey in 2002, also led to a change in economic policy towards the north.
It said that Ankara has become more reluctant to finance what it sees as the profligacy of Turkish Cypriot politicians.
The study points out that the most obvious problem of the Turkish Cypriot economy has been the huge share of personnel and transfer expenditures in the public budget, which stem from decades of clientelist expansion of the public sector. Accordingly, one of the key targets of the austerity policies was reducing the attractiveness of public-sector jobs.
The report states that as a result of the austerity measures, public sector employees, pensioners and recipients of social security benefits all saw their real incomes decline. As a result, the budget deficit had been reduced. But the study revealed that public debt stock as a share of the north’s GDP is still high as people who refuse to change their consumption habits choose to borrow to make up for their loss in real incomes, increasing household debt.
Meanwhile, while the report states that the Turkish Cypriot economy has grown at healthy rates it has failed to generate white-collar jobs that would satisfy young university graduates. Although the entry-level salaries in the public sector have been reduced in real terms, as the working conditions in the private sector have not been improved, public-sector jobs remain to be ‘the greatest object of desire’ for Turkish Cypriots.
On the positive side, the report points out that financial dependence on Turkey has steadily decreased in the period concerned. This can be seen as good news in the context of inter-communal negotiations between the two sides because a viable economic system in the north may help to change the negative perception in the south that Turkish Cypriots would constitute a burden on the federal state.
On the downside, in the meantime, a considerable amount of debt has been accumulated by the north as borrowing from Turkey continued. The study says that although financial dependence on Turkey has subsided, there is no sign of a decline in Turkey’s political influence.
It points out that on the political front, austerity measures have created a backlash on the governing parties across the political spectrum and made governing more difficult. According to the report, the last three general elections were all called earlier than scheduled while turnout steadily decreased, a manifestation of growing political discontent among Turkish Cypriot voters. It said that since the austerity policies are set to continue, this trend is likely to continue putting more strain on the political system.
Halkseven warns 2000 tons of potatoes to go to waste
Kıbrıs
Economy
OVERVIEW
The head of the Turkish Cypriot Potato Growers’ Association, Engin Halkseven on Sunday complained that the EU is preventing potato exports via the Green Line trade regulation this year by citing the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse.
In a written statement, he added the EU phytosanitary expert had been unable to visit the north due to Covid-19 restrictions to inspect the fields during the planting season thus ending all export options to the EU. Halkseven noted that the association had proposed that the Turkish Cypriot producers take the potatoes to the buffer zone or to the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) to allow an expert from the south to inspect the produce.
“Nonetheless, no one responded to our suggestion,” Halkseven noted, warning that 2000 tons of potatoes will go to waste unless urgent action is taken. He added that the failure to export the potatoes will have a chain effect as farmers, unable to sell their crop will be left cash-strapped to replant in the spring season.
Halkseven also noted the potato consumption has dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Recalling his recent meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, Halkseven expressed hope that Tatar’s efforts will yield positive outcomes.
He also noted that attempts were being made to export potatoes to the UK and Dubai but that high freight costs due to the political status of the north were making it difficult to compete with others. Halkseven added that the potato growers are ready to do whatever is necessary to carry out “contactless trade” via the Green Line.