8,000 Private Soldiers Quit Turkish Army in 2011

"In 2012, approximately 8,000 contracted private soldiers quit the Turkish Army where they had to work under a unilateral contract with no prospect of permanent hiring,"Esef Merdoğlu, EMUZDER (Retired Private Soldiers Association) chair, told bianet.

Merdoğlu said thousands of private soldiers served under a unilateral contract which did not allow to cancel. "Basically, this means that you can't quit the army. But only the army can quit you."

"We don't understand how Turkish Army can deploy compulsory drafted civilians into the clash zone in the southeastern Turkey," Merdoğlu continued. "And the majority of contracted private soldiers serve under the risk of unemployment after serving 6 months."

According to Haberturk newspaper, the number of contracted private soldiers reduced from 67,000 in 2010 to 35,000 in 2012. 400 out of 750 contracted private soldiers in Bolu province brigade unit did not renew their contracts this year. Similar loses were also observed in Kayseri (400), Siirt (400) and Tunceli (450) province brigade units.

"When the Turkish Army maintained 46,000 private soldiers in November 2012. However, more than 8,000 private soldiers did not renew their contracts. Another 7,700 private soldiers retired to age," Merdoğlu said.

Reminding the association's previous statements, Merdoğlu reiterated the impossibility of the Professional Turkish Army Project with contracted soldiers.

"Officials raise expectations by promising improvements in private soldiers' rights but they never keep their promises. Therefore, the professional army project will fade soon." (EKN)