Poverty line is 3.5 times the minimum wage in Turkey, shows study

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) / Archive

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The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ) has released the findings of its "Starvation and Poverty Line Study" for November.

The study has indicated that in order to have a healthy, balanced and sufficient diet (which shows the starvation line), a four-member family must spend at least 2,516 Turkish Lira (~320 US dollars) a month.

As for the poverty line, which also includes the money spent for clothing, housing (rent, electricity, water, heating), transportation, education, health and similar needs, it has increased to 8,197 Turkish Lira (~1,030 USD).

Considering that the minimum wage is 2,324 TRY in Turkey, these figures show that the poverty line has hit 3.5 times the minimum wage.

'Kitchen inflation' of Turkey

The monthly living expense of a single worker has been calculated as 3,073 Turkish Lira (~390 USD) by the confederation.

According to the TÜRK-İŞ's calculation, the "kitchen inflation" was as follows in Turkey in November 2020:

The minimum amount of money to be spent for "food" by a four-member family living in Ankara has increased by 1.39 percent in a month.

The prices have increased by 16.37 percent in the first 11 months.

Food inflation has increased by 19.68 percent in the last 2 months.

The average annual increase has been calculated as 14.57 percent.

The study of the confederation has also indicated that when it is compared with the same period last year, monthly food expenditures (kitchen expenses) of a four-member family have increased by 414 TRY and the total expenditure has increased by 1,348 TRY.

'They can no longer make sacrifices'

Commenting on these figures, TÜRK-İŞ has said, "It needs to be considered that the current calculation of inflation is controversial especially due to the household consumption that has changed in the pandemic period."

Referring specifically to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the TÜRK-İŞ has underlined that "the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are still ongoing in the economic and social spheres." Accordingly, the confederation has indicated that "the living conditions of the low- and fixed-income groups are getting more and more difficult."

Stressing the negative effects of low wages, unemployment and increasing inflation on daily life, the study of the confederation has raised concerns that "the measures taken against the pandemic amid a spike in the outbreak following the new normalization have postponed the expected improvement in working and living conditions."

"The starvation line of a four-member family is still higher than the minimum wage," the confederation has said and added, "Wage earners and pensioners no longer have the strength to make any more sacrifices." (HA/SD)