Police used tear gas to disperse protestors who gathered in front of the TRNC parliament.
It came as a mass demonstration was held by 28 trade unions during a parliamentary session on a draft legislation concerning the rearrangement of salaries and other payments of Public Sector Employees.
clamor occurred between police forces and the protestors when protestors wanted to walk in front of the Parliament and were blocked by the police.
17 protestors were arrested during the unrest.
Angry protestors then marched to the police headquarters to demand the release of their companions.
Separately, some trade unions also went on strike at various workplaces, calling for the withdrawal of the draft law.
“DRAFT LAW WILL APPLY TO ONLY THOSE TO BE NEWLY EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR”
Finance Minister Ersin Tatar has responded to trade unions which protest the draft legislation on wages and employee rights of public workers, by stressing that the new rules to come into force will only apply to those to be newly employed in the public sector.
“Our goal in introducing this law is to establish a balance between the public and private sectors”, Mr. Tatar said.
Speaking on a BRT program, the Minister explained that the draft law will make a long-term contribution to the public finance.
He said heavy reactions staged against the draft law are not right, as the current situation within the public sector can’t be maintained.
He added that those actions are being politically motivated.
Reminding of the fact that the TRNC government realizes its obligations with financial resources provided by Turkey, Ersin Tatar however rejected the claim of an ‘imposed package’ and said, Turkey is only providing suggestions for the implementation of law.
POLICE USED TEAR GAS TO DISPERSE PROTESTORS WHO GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE PARLIAMENT