THE ARTIST’S LABOR AND EARNED RIGHTS CANNOT BE SACRIFICED TO ADMINISTRATIVE NEGLIGENCE!

THE ARTIST’S LABOR AND EARNED RIGHTS CANNOT BE SACRIFICED TO ADMINISTRATIVE NEGLIGENCE!

Dear Members, Cultural and Art Workers; In our announcement dated July 3, 2026, we informed the public that the incentive bonuses for June owed to our artists employed by the General Directorate of Fine Arts (GSGM) had not yet been paid. However, despite the time that has passed, and although payments have been completed as of July 14, 2026, particularly at the State Theaters and the State Opera and Ballet as well as other units, only the entitlements of our artists employed by the GSGM—which were due in June—have still not been paid. For this reason, our union has not limited itself to merely monitoring the process; we have filed an official complaint with the Presidency of the Inspection Board of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, requesting that an administrative and disciplinary investigation be launched. The primary legal grounds for our complaint are as follows: Violation of the statutory deadline: While other general directorates within the same Ministry have made their payments on time, the delay at the GSGM constitutes an administrative failure on the part of the administration. The principle of the individual nature of financial rights: Administrative or technical shortcomings in one unit cannot serve as a legal justification for delaying the payment of financial rights already earned by other artists. The need to take action against those responsible: We have argued that the necessary administrative measures must be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Public Financial Management and Control Law No. 5018 and the Civil Servants Law No. 657; furthermore, we have asserted that the nature of the incident must also be evaluated under Article 257 of the Turkish Penal Code. Violation of the principle of equality and disruption of labor peace: This de facto discrimination created among artists working within the same Ministry violates the principle of equality guaranteed by Article 10 of the Constitution and disrupts labor peace. Ministry officials have informed our union that the delay was due to “a technical adjustment” and that payments are expected to be made within a “short period.” However, from our union’s perspective, the issue is not merely a matter of when the payment will be made. What is essential is that the necessary administrative and disciplinary proceedings be initiated without delay against those responsible for causing this delay—those who failed to take the necessary measures or conclude the process in a timely manner—and that these payments be ensured, including legal interest. While the lawsuit we filed with the Council of State regarding the shortfall in incentive payments resulting from the across-the-board pay raise continues with determination, we will not remain silent about the delay in our current financial entitlements due to administrative negligence! The Culture Workers’ Union will continue to closely monitor all administrative and legal processes to protect our members’ financial, employment, and union rights.

CULTURAL WORKERS’ UNION CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD