The cafe that gives some moments of hope to pensioners in Turkey

2024-11-26 10:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Inflation hits pensioners hard in Turkey. A "retirement home" has opened in Istanbul, where many elderly people enjoy socializing and drinking for very little money.

"Retirement House" is the name of the cafe in Istanbul's Beyo?lu district. It is frequented by many retirees, because here the elderly are given price reductions, since otherwise they would not be able to survive on the pensions they receive. Selahattin Aydogan says that he prefers to come here, since he cannot afford a coffee in the city's cafes. A coffee costs 5 lira, about 14 cents, a tea costs almost 4 cents.

Opposition project

This is a subsidized project of the mayor of the municipality. He belongs to the opposition party CHP and with the cafe for pensioners he wins points. Because pensioners in Turkey are in a difficult situation, although President Erdo?an claims that since he is in power, there is an improvement in living conditions for the elderly in Turkey.

President Erdo?an in his statements emphasizes that "in the last 21 years we have taken many measures to improve the quality of life of pensioners. Previously, pensioners lived at a very miserable level."

Just before the elections last year, Erdogan's electoral gift increased pensions again. But high inflation, says pensioner Syleyman Metinyurt, again creates difficult financial conditions and the pension increase is not felt at all. "12,500 lira is the minimum pension that is currently paid. But what can you do with this amount, about 330 euros? I believe you know how much the rents are in Istanbul. Astronomical amounts are required."

Pensioners protest

Almost 2 million Turkish pensioners need to have additional income on top of their pension, so they work, like Leyla Ermagen. She sells hoods that she makes herself with spears. But even this additional income would not be enough without the help of the children. The president, she says, has lost contact with his people. Leyla Ermagen says, "The people are hungry. They should feed our people and then think about saving our brothers of faith abroad."

Leyla is engaged in the union of pensioners, because she will protest for the increase in pensions. Because the current situation, she says, makes us feel like second-class citizens./ DW