Gürcafer Responds to "Human Trafficking" Allegations: Documents Are False!

Cafer Gürcafer, President of the Turkish Cypriot Constructors Association (KTİMB), made statements to the press at the KTİMB regarding the procedures carried out concerning Work Permits Legislation, protocols signed with the state, and the works carried out within this framework.

Cafer Gürcafer, President of KTİMB, stated that the allegations raised cast doubt on the public opinion. Gürcafer emphasized the need to respond to disinformation disseminating factions and stated that they would respond to the questions and show the lies with documents.

Reminding that the preliminary permit application started in 2005, Gürcafer said, "Employer organizations opposed it at that time. Only the Contractors Association stood behind it with Sonay Adem."

Stating that the number of registered employees was 10,000 before 2005 and then this number increased, Gürcafer said that chaos and congestion began at the Labor Department and they signed a protocol with the Ministry of Labor to expedite the procedures through their negotiations.

Stating that a protocol was signed for the work permits of member companies of the Contractors Association to be made together, Gürcafer said that they looked at the investments of those who applied for work permits.

Gürcafer stated that inspections such as Encumbrance permission, tax clearance certificate were carried out, and later they submitted the application of the union to the Ministry of Labor after the inspection of the firm. "We conduct inspections on behalf of the state and the sector, approve the firm's request by taking it to the ministry after the control," he said.

Gürcafer stated that after 2010, third-country workers also entered the sector, stating that they imposed a quota and started to bring third-country citizens up to 20% of the Turkish Cypriot citizens working in the firm. Gürcafer stated that the labor force coming from Turkey decreased with the pandemic, and after the earthquake on February 6, the workforce in Turkey increased. 71,415 insured employees, 37,414 citizens of the Republic of Turkey, and 25,682 third-country nationals reached, he said.

Underlining that human trafficking is a dirty crime, Gürcafer said, "We all watch human trafficking movies with their traumas..."

"MAYPA CLAIMED THAT WE BROUGHT 93 PEOPLE TO THE COMPANY WHERE THE SETTLEMENT WAS MADE"

Gürcafer stated that the issue of human trafficking came to the agenda with Serdinç Maypa's document forging. Gürcafer said, "He claimed that we brought 93 people to the company where the settlement was made and said that these people did not have work permits and did not work."

Gürcafer distributed the list of preliminary permit applications made by the company that built the settlement at the press conference he held.

"THERE ARE 5-10 THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO BRING WORKERS TO THE COUNTRY AND TAKE COMMISSION"

Gürcafer claimed that 5-10 thousand people who bring workers to the country and take commission, work in public, police, media, and construction. Gürcafer explained that firms that bring workers sign an undertaking, after which the documents are sent to the ministry, and whether the previous workers had work permits or not is checked. If it is determined that the work permits of the previous workers were not issued, the company's bringing new workers is prevented, he said. Stating that they carry out inspections, Gürcafer said that if something is missing, the company's operations are stopped.

Gürcafer emphasized that there is a serious need for workforce in the construction sector and then stated that some companies do not meet the human conditions, and gangs involved in human trafficking enter into action. The gangs then smuggle people to the south with big promises, he said.

"My son Mehmet and Serdinç Maypa also bring workers to the country in exchange for commission"

Gürcafer claimed that 5-10 thousand people bring workers to the country and take commission, and his son Mehmet Gürcafer and Serdinç Maypa also do the same. Gürcafer, stating that those who bring workers take a commission of 1-3 Euros, said that qualified masters do not give more than 1 Euro in commission, unqualified masters are deceived and come to the country by paying 3 thousand Euros. Saying, "The person realizes the mistake after coming here," Gürcafer stated that the person then seeks ways to escape to the south.

Explaining why they also bring employees to KTEZO and Res-Bir, Gürcafer said that they provide infrastructure support as an association.

CALL FOR LAW FROM GÜRCAFER: LET'S NOT BRING WORKERS FROM THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES FOR A MONTH

Calling for the enactment of a law regarding the recruitment of workers, Gürcafer said, "Let's draft the law in a month. During the drafting, let's refrain from bringing workers from third world countries."

Pointing out that there is a signboard of the Ministry of Labor but not himself, Gürcafer said that the state fell behind the times, lost its ability to make laws.

Pointing to the universities, Gürcafer claimed, "Ninety percent of the refugee camp in the south are from universities."

Emphasizing that his union is open, Gürcafer said that they are open to inspection.