Turkish Retirees Forced into Manual Labor as Pensions Fail to Cover Basic Needs

Retired citizens in Turkey are facing severe economic hardship, compelling them to take on physically demanding jobs well into their old age simply to make ends meet. The stark reality for many is that their pensions fall far short of covering essential living costs, pushing them into labor markets they had hoped to leave behind.

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My pension isn't enough, so I work here. We will most likely work until we die. Even the garbage collectors for retirees abroad are on vacation, but our retirees can't go on holiday.

In Kadirli, Osmaniye province, retired construction worker Halil İbrahim Çıplak shared his struggle. "My pension isn't enough, so I work here," he said, describing his work as a form setter in construction. With a pension of 23,500 lira, he finds it impossible to cover his three children's school expenses, let alone daily food and necessities. "We will most likely work until we die," he lamented, adding, "Even the garbage collectors for retirees abroad are on vacation, but our retirees can't go on holiday."

Another construction worker, Ali Yüksel, highlighted the soaring costs of basic goods. "A kilo of tea is now 350 lira. My daily wage doesn't even cover two packs of tea," he stated. He pointed out that the price of 5 kg of yogurt is 250 lira and 1 kg of tomatoes costs 65 lira, questioning the logic of making ends meet. "We have to work, we have no other choice. We can't afford to ride the bus; diesel is 81 lira," he added, noting that rent alone ranges from 12,000 to 25,000 lira.

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A kilo of tea is now 350 lira. My daily wage doesn't even cover two packs of tea. We have to work, we have no other choice.

Even at 75 years old, one retired man is working as an apprentice on construction sites, mixing mortar and fetching materials. "If there were other jobs, I would work. They don't give me other work because of my age. Otherwise, I'd work better than those young people," he said, emphasizing his willingness to work despite his age and physical limitations. He arrives at 7 a.m. and leaves at 6 p.m., acknowledging that while his body is still capable, he is beginning to slow down. "We have to work for a living; the stomach demands food every day."

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If there were other jobs, I would work. They don't give me other work because of my age. Otherwise, I'd work better than those young people. We have to work for a living; the stomach demands food every day.

Many retirees expressed resignation, stating they would not work if their pensions were adequate. The harsh conditions, including working in 40-degree heat at age 60, are a testament to their difficult circumstances. "Pensions don't seem like they will increase; they aren't increasing," one retiree observed, adding, "I've been retired for 2 years, and I'm still struggling."

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Pensions don't seem like they will increase; they aren't increasing. I've been retired for 2 years, and I'm still struggling.