The Youth Organisation of the Turkish Republican Party (CTP) has criticised the government for delaying the urgent review of the proposed military service amendments in committee. The organisation called for the legislation to be enacted, emphasising the need to address current injustices faced by military conscripts and potential reforms.
In a written statement, the CTP Youth Organisation highlighted several proposed changes, arguing these amendments to become law, including reducing the payment amount for voluntary military service, refunding those who have already paid, and providing amnesty for draft evaders.
The organisation pointed out that there are numerous issues concerning compulsory military service, with particular concern over the financial burden imposed by the current system. Under existing legislation, the fee for voluntary military service is capped at ten times the gross minimum wage. Currently, this amounts to approximately 434,690 TL (around 8,470 British Pounds). The organisation noted that this fee increases in tandem with minimum wage hikes.
Referring to past figures, the CTP Youth Organisation recalled that the voluntary military service fee was previously set at £4,000. They criticised the 2021 decision to index the fee to the minimum wage, citing the method as “short-sighted and reactive,” given the continuous increase in foreign exchange rates.
The organisation further condemned the government’s hesitant stance, stating that such indecisiveness damages social justice, accelerates brain drain, and damages the relationship between citizens and the state.
The CTP Youth Organisation reiterated its clear stance: the current approach is unsustainable and called on authorities to reverse course and implement the necessary reforms promptly.
