Civil servants' and workers' salaries are at risk

Supreme Court The Grand Assembly of the Unification of Jurisprudence ruled last Thursday by majority vote that pensions could be blocked due to consumer loan debt. It was stated that the blocking of pensions, even for wages below the poverty line, could also apply to salaries of salaried employees. The judges, who voted against the decision, stated that the blocking could seize not only the salaries of retirees but also those of civil servants and those earning minimum wage.

The Supreme Court of Appeals judges, who disagreed with the majority decision, stated that the decision granting banks the right and authority to block or seize pensions does not arise from the Social Security Law, but rather that the blockage would be based on the principles of "pacta sunt servanda and freedom of contract." Therefore, the judges stated that the decision would negatively impact not only retirees but also anyone in a negative position, and issued the following observation and warning:

'RIGHTS HAVE BEEN HURT'

While the decision addresses consumer loans taken out by retirees, it will also grant the right to block and seize the salaries of civil servants and minimum wage earners. Given that the Unification of Jurisprudence Decision (IMD) allows for blocking even retirees, who are in a more disadvantaged position than other workers and are protected in their entirety, the possibility of blocking other wage earners whose salaries exceed the pension is also open. This decision has undermined the social security rights of not only retirees but all wage earners.

They will seize not 1/10, but all of it.

The judges dissenting from the decision stated that while the majority's decision was being formulated, the claim was that only one-tenth of the pensions of retirees who couldn't pay their debts were being held back. However, this was not the case. The judges concluded, "If pensions could be seized, the law would only allow for the portion above the minimum subsistence level. The seizure order has made it possible for banks to place a hold on the entire pension."