Özgür Özel: ‘Why are you announcing the price of tea by tweeting? Come, look into the eyes of a person from Rize and say 17 liras’

CHP Leader Özgür Özel said, ‘Why do you announce the price of tea by tweeting? Come, look into the eyes of the people in Rize and tell them it’s 17 lira. They say there is also a 2 lira subsidy, for next year in March or April. How much is fertilizer today? How much will it be in April? So, that 2 lira is not for today but for almost a year later.’ Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP) Leader Özgür Özel came to Rize to attend the Tea Rally organized by his party. Özel entered a tea farming area in Gündoğdu Neighborhood and collected tea with the producers to learn about tea cultivation. Then he gathered with the citizens at 15 July Democracy and Republic Square. Speaking at the event, Özel emphasized that the normalization process is not about reducing the opposition’s voice, but about amplifying the citizens’ voices. He stated that the agenda of the people will be the agenda of the CHP. Regarding the tea price announcement, Özel criticized the government for causing disappointment and tension in Rize. He highlighted the importance of addressing the issues that concern the public and emphasized the need for constructive opposition. He also mentioned the challenges faced by tea workers and called for their rights to be protected.
In response to the criticism of announcing the base price of fresh tea on social media, Özel expressed discontent, stating that the current situation in the tea industry is concerning. He highlighted the discrepancy between domestic tea consumption and production in Turkey. Özel also addressed the challenges faced by Çaykur workers, advocating for their job security and fair wages. He stressed the importance of supporting tea producers and resolving their issues through legislative measures. In addition, Özel underlined the significance of passing a Tea Law to address the problems faced by tea producers. He called upon the government to take action and support the organic tea industry. Referring to the stance of former CHP Leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on combating illegal tea imports, Özel reiterated the party’s commitment to protecting the interests of tea producers.
Furthermore, Özel criticized private tea factories for environmental pollution caused by the lack of filters in their chimneys. He demanded strict measures to be taken by the relevant authorities to address this issue. He pointed out that many private factories in Rize do not have proper filters, leading to pollution in the region. Özel emphasized the need for accountability and enforcement of regulations to protect the environment and public health. He highlighted the responsibility of the government in ensuring compliance with environmental standards and safeguarding the interests of local communities.