Candidates on ‘red list’ denied jobs despite high test scores, Taraf reports


Date posted: February 28, 2014

ANKARA

Despite having ranked in the top 100 on a written civil service test, some job-seekers failed the oral exam of the Turkish Tax Inspection Board (VDKB) because they were labeled “red” in a profiling document, a Turkish daily said on Friday.

 

“It was striking that on a newly discovered ‘red list,’ there were also candidates who had ranked in the top 100 by getting high grades on the written exam. For example, it was observed that an inspector candidate who ranked 14th on the written exam was put on the red list and profiled as definitely ineligible [for employment],” the Taraf daily reported.

Public sector employees are selected by a two-stage process. In the first stage, candidates sit for the Public Personnel Examination (KPSS); those who pass are invited to attend an oral examination in which the so-called color lists are, apparently, heavily influential.

Taraf has reported that the VDKB uses color-coded lists to profile prospective civil servants who apply for jobs at the institution. While those whose names appear on the red list were allegedly denied jobs, those placed on blue and green lists were favored.

 

Members of various groups and demographics, such as the Hizmet movement inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Kurds have purportedly been placed on the red list.

“It was discovered that a lot of people who ranked in the top 100 were negatively labeled [put on the red list] because they are Alevis [some consider Alevism an unorthodox sect of Islam], Kurds or members of Hizmet,” the daily said.

The daily said in a previous report that it had gotten hold of documents stored on bureaucrats’ computers at the VDKB. The documents confirmed that tax-inspector candidates had been discriminated against on the basis of their social background, political affiliation and religion, the daily said.

 

The documents Taraf claimed to have obtained contain information about tax inspector candidates who sat for an entrance exam for the VDKB, part of the Ministry of Finance, in late 2013. The daily claims that the document, a one-page printout, categorizes candidates as blue or red.

Source: Todays Zaman , February 28, 2014


Related News

Profiled lawyer files criminal complaint against MİT, MGK

Taraf began publishing a string of confidential documents suggesting that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and MİT had collected information on a large number of individuals through 2013 at the request of the MGK. The targets were reportedly members of the Hizmet movement, a faith-based community inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Fethullah Gulen’s opinion on Turkey today

“As the coup attempt unfolded, I fiercely denounced it and denied any involvement,” wrote Gulen, who has been living in self-exile in the US since 1999. “Furthermore, I said that anyone who participated in the putsch betrayed my ideals. Nevertheless, and without evidence, Erdogan immediately accused me of orchestrating it from 5,000 miles away.

Turks mobilize to join solidarity campaign for Bank Asya

The government-led assault to sink Turkey’s largest Islamic lender, Bank Asya, due to its affiliations with the Hizmet movement, has stirred a public movement, with thousands of people rushing to deposit money with the bank to aid its struggle for survival.

Academics sign statement saying ‘rule of law suspended’

Professor Ayhan Aktar, Professor Ersin Kalaycıoğlu and Professor Yasemin İnceoğlu, as well as 147 other academics, signed a statement saying that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government cannot ignore corruption allegations by making up claims of a “parallel state” — which has no meaning in political science or law — and placing all responsibility of unlawful acts on the Hizmet movement, which was inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

İstanbul Transportation Authority cancels bus line to Fatih University

Amid growing examples of discrimination against the Hizmet movement, the İstanbul Transportation Authority (İETT) canceled one bus line to Fatih University, which is considered to be affiliated with the Hizmet movement. An official from İETT, İsmihan Şimşek talked to Today’s Zaman and admitted that the 76F bus line had been canceled, but dismissed the idea that the decision deliberately targeted Fatih University. According to her, following analysis of demand for bus services in the region, the 76F bus line was discontinued while two other lines, HT18 and 418, continue to run with stops at Fatih University.

European Parliament calls for fair trial of suspects arrested in anti-coup operations in Turkey

Members of the European Parliament (EP) discussed developments following the July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey at a session on Tuesday and stressed the need for the fair trial of suspects who have been arrested on coup charges.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Turkish Colleges wins mathematics, science awards

Turkish Olympiad raises hopes for world peace

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Erdoğan’s hate speech moves to US

Kimse Yok Mu continues relief efforts in Gaza

FM Davutoğlu annuls decree ordering Turkish embassies to support Gülen Movement: Reports

Turkish school sacrifices over 150 cows for Eidil Adha

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News