Erdogan: "The AKP has to solve the social security issue before it's too late"

Speaking to his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rebuffed claims by opposition parties and the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) that the AKP isn't interested in the economy. Saying that on the contrary the economy is his party's priority, he also criticized union allegations that planned social security reforms will rob workers of their rights, arguing that the opposite is true and workers' conditions will actually improve. "Some people comment on the (social security) reform bill without reading it at all," he said. "They haven't been honest. Their acquired rights will continue without any change." Stating that the AKP has to solve the social security issue before it's too late, he added that the public has been misled.