ANKARA - Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu said on Monday that commission activities on Social Security Reform are about to be completed, adding that they planned to present their activities to Parliament in October or November 2004.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam visited Basesgioglu.
Basesgioglu told reporters after the meeting that they informed IMF delegation about the activities of Labor and Social Security Ministry which have been carried on so far.
Noting that they gave information about Social Security Reform, Basesgioglu said that they have been working on this reform package for a long time.
Basesgioglu said that they have nearly completed commission activities, which both his ministry and other ministries have participated in, about Social Security Reform. He added that they planned to submit their activities to Parliament in October or November 2004.
Basesgioglu said that IMF delegation approached minimum wage issue in the aspect of not affecting macro economic balances during the meeting. He recalled that minimum wage fixing commission would convene to discuss this issue and said that he believed the commission would take a decision by evaluating the economic condition of Turkey.
Noting that social security reform was necessary, Basesgioglu said that they had to take measures now for a sustainable social security system.
When asked whether IMF asked for special measures, Basesgioglu said that IMF did not suggest a specific measure, adding that they made a general evaluation at the meeting.
(GC-AÖ) 14.06.2004