Poverty Line Increased, Minimum Wage Dramatically Low

A study carried out by Türk-İş revealed that the current minimum monthly wage equals the amount a family of four needs for six days lead under humane living conditions. Both the poverty line and the "starvation line" have increased compared with last year's figures.

Tolga Korkut

Poverty Line Increased, Minimum Wage Dramatically Low

According to calculations made by the Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions (Türk-İş), the poverty line for a four person family in March lies at TL 2,752.80 (€ 1,311), the "starvation line" lies at TL 845.11 (€ 402). This is an increase compared with the figures of March 2008 with TL 2,425.55 (€ 1,155) and TL 744.65 (€ 355), respectively.

Türk-İş defines the starvation line as the minimum spending for a healthy diet. The amount for the poverty line concerns the minimum spending for the cost of living including spending for rent, transportation, fuel, water etc.

Minimum wage covers 20 days of healthy diet

Türk-İs reminded that the current minimum wage is specified at TL 576.57 (€ 275). Considering this as a single income for a family, this amount remains below the limit for humane living conditions. Türk-İş emphasized that this amount is sufficient for only 20 days of a healthy diet or for six days under humane living conditions.

Poverty line increased by TL 327

The same calculation for last year featured TL 2,425.55 (€ 1,155) for the poverty line and TL 744.65 (€ 355) for the starvation line. This means an increase of TL 327 (€ 156) and TL 100 (€ 48), respectively. (TK/VK)