Retirees React to Insufficient Raise Rates: Cost of Living and Rent Distress

Retirees across Turkey have stated that the recently announced salary increases are completely inadequate to cover the cost of living and that they are in a serious economic crisis. Citizens, emphasizing the gap between official inflation data and the prices they face in the market, expressed great difficulty in meeting basic food and shelter needs. Stating that prices in the markets have made survival impossible, retirees also reacted sharply to the disregard for their grievances. They report that purchasing power is eroding day by day against rising prices, and the cost of living shows an unstoppable rise. Against this backdrop, the view prevails that the requirements of the social state principle are not being met and retirees are being moved away from their welfare level.

Retiree Yaşar Diriarın living in Siirt harshly criticized the government and deputies for ignoring the realities citizens face and argued that the announced figures do not reflect the truth. Stating that official inflation data is viewed with suspicion by the entire society and TÜİK data does not reflect the increases felt in the market, he called for these data to be proven. He said he had to spend a large part of his salary on rent, and the remaining money was insufficient for other needs. He recounted that although he wanted to work after retiring, he could not find a job due to his age, and the system shut the door by replying 'you are a retiree'. Emphasizing that retirees are constantly victimized in this situation and that fundamental problems regarding the right to life have arisen and become a social issue, he stated.

Abdullah Öbüş and other retirees noted that rent prices, in particular, completely wipe out retirement pensions, and in places like Siirt, rent expenses exceed salaries by far. Although zams came to everything from basic food items to the price of a loaf of bread, they recounted that salary increases could not compete with these price hikes and living standards declined. They expressed that they can no longer afford even small luxuries like a cigarette, that they have started to ration basic consumer goods, and even have to calculate their water intake. They stated that economic difficulties are felt not only in big cities but across the entire country, and retirees are forced to choose between 'dying or trying to live'. This heavy picture indicates that retirees have become more hopeless and desperate about making ends meet.

Civil servant retiree Abdulcelil Tarlak expressed that the expected raise rate of around 13 percent remained ridiculously low against rising inflation and cost of living, and that it has become impossible to get by on this money. He said that salaries around 25 thousand lira are eroded against rent fees at the level of 20 thousand lira and other expenses, and that a retiree without rent aid could end up on the street. Noting that the wage difference between worker and civil servant retirees is unfair and undermines the sense of justice, he criticized the system for favoring one segment over the other. He recounted that due to old age and health problems, returning to working life is not possible, so their hands are tied and they are forced to be grateful. These troubles show that retirees are worn out not only economically but also psychologically and socially.

Hayrettin Yılmaz and other retirees emphasized that salary zams are not at a level to allow a humane life, retirees are pushed below the lowest income group of society, and the same victimization has persisted for years. Retirees stated that they have the right not just to survive but to live a life befitting human dignity, and this requires comprehensive reform and a fair raise increase. Prominent demands included closing the gap between official figures and market prices, updating salaries according to real inflation rates, and increasing rent supports. The ongoing process has created anger and disappointment that retirees are condemned to a semi-starved existence. Therefore, it is clearly seen that the problems experienced by retirees have turned not only into an economic but also a social crisis and require urgent solution.