Meeting Held with the Advisor to Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu

MEETING HELD WITH THE ADVISOR TO DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM BATUHAN MUMCU

MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM — MEETING SUMMARY AND UNION POSITIONS

Date: June 25, 2025

Subject: Meeting Held with Ayşegül Genç, Advisor to Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu

Participants: Union Representatives, Ministry Advisor Ayşegül Genç

Agenda: Follow-up on previous meetings and assessment of efforts toward resolving problems in arts institutions

1. Disciplinary Provisions and Legal Regulations for Arts Institutions

Agenda: The inclusion of disciplinary provisions for Devlet Tiyatroları, Devlet Opera ve Balesi, and the Directorate General of Fine Arts in an omnibus law.

• —Disciplinary provisions must not be implemented before the existing gaps in the personal, administrative, and financial rights of artists and technical personnel are remedied.
• —There is a risk that disciplinary provisions could become a tool of mobbing, placing artists and technical personnel under material and psychological pressure.
• —Our union has demanded that disciplinary provisions not be treated solely as punitive measures but that all legislation be addressed in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
• —Article 28 of Devlet Opera ve Balesi contracts unlawfully provides for salary deductions "without any justification." Our union will file suit against this article and pursue compensation claims.

2. Legislative Work Concerning Arts Institutions

Agenda: Whether comprehensive legislative work is underway for Devlet Tiyatroları and other arts institutions. Status: The Ministry indicated that no such work is currently in progress. Our Union's Position: Comprehensive legislative work is essential to close the legal gaps relating to the administrative, financial, and personal rights of arts institutions.

3. Across-the-Board Pay Raises and Incentive/Bonus Problems

Agenda: The reflection of across-the-board pay raises in incentives and bonuses. Status: The Ministry stated that work is being carried out on this matter but that the Ministry of Finance is mounting significant resistance. Our Union's Position: The failure to reflect across-the-board pay raises in incentives and bonuses is causing serious harm to the financial rights of artists and technical personnel.

4. Seniority Alignment Problem for Personnel in 4B Status

Agenda: The seniority alignment arrangement for personnel transitioning from 4B to 4A status. Status: This arrangement has been approved by all boards within the Ministry and submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Social Security Institution. Our Union's Position: Information was received that the process is progressing positively; our union will closely monitor this matter.

5. Double Standards in Appointments and Assignments

Agenda: Double standards in appointments and assignments at Devlet Tiyatroları, and the rejection of hardship and compassionate transfer requests. Our Union's Position: Transparent and fair criteria must be established for appointments and assignments. The Ministry must intervene to address these double standards and prevent arbitrary practices.

6. Inadequacy of Salaries and Retirement Problems

Agenda: Current salaries falling below the poverty line, non-application of across-the-board pay raises, and incentive deductions. Status: The Ministry stated that proposals on salary increases and retirement arrangements are being held up by the Ministry of Finance's austerity measures. Our Union's Position: Current salaries are insufficient for artists and technical personnel to sustain their livelihoods.

General Assessment

The problems of arts institutions must be resolved through a holistic approach encompassing administrative, financial, and personal rights. Our union will follow all these matters closely, continue litigation processes, and keep presenting solution-oriented proposals to the Ministry.