Turkish retirees protest low pensions, inability to afford holiday necessities

Turkish retirees have voiced deep frustration over their economic struggles during the Kurban Bayram holiday, citing insufficient pensions and the escalating cost of living. Many feel their current retirement benefits do not cover essential expenses, leading to significant hardship.

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Who is living on 20,000 lira today? I myself go out and work. I work 11 months of the year. I cannot live on 20,000 lira. I have three children. I am away from my children and grandchildren for 11 months of the year. I came on the 24th of the month, and I will go back again on the 2nd. I cannot make ends meet.

One retiree shared his inability to live on a 20,000 Turkish lira pension, stating, "Who is living on 20,000 lira today?" He described working for 11 months away from his family and still struggling financially. The individual also recounted being unable to afford a small sacrifice animal for the holiday, which cost 20,000 lira, and called the 4,000 lira bonus a "charity" that cannot even buy three kilograms of sweets, with the cheapest costing 750-800 lira per kilogram.

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If there is a citizen who says 'I will live on 20,000 lira,' let them come forward, I will congratulate them.

Another retiree, Mehmet Çolu, a 11-year SSK pensioner, lamented the drastic difference in purchasing power compared to 2021, when his pension allowed him to support a household. Now, with 20,000 lira, he can barely support two people. He expressed dismay at not being able to afford a sacrifice this year and criticized the government's repeated promises to reduce inflation to single digits over the past 23-24 years, calling them lies and urging the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) to verify market prices.

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We have to sacrifice a kurban during Bayram, but I couldn't afford it this year. If I buy it, I won't have any money left in my pocket. If I don't buy it, it's also a problem. Honestly, we couldn't buy it this year.

The retirees' sentiments reflect widespread discontent among pensioners who feel neglected and are struggling to maintain a dignified standard of living amidst persistent economic challenges in Turkey. They expressed a loss of faith in the current economic policies and leadership.

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They have been saying 'We will reduce inflation to single digits' for 23-24 years. People really don't know what to say. They are not ashamed. They lie straight to people's faces. Every year the same words.