Kazım Ergün, Chairman of the Turkish Pensioners’ Association (TÜED), wanted the lowest pension to be at the minimum wage level. Ergün said, "While the minimum wage was 72 percent of the lowest pensioner's pension in 2002, today the pension equals 53 percent of the minimum wage. It is impossible to fight for life with a pension of 1,500 lira. The minimum pension should be equal to the minimum wage."
Kazım Ergün, Chairman of the Turkish Pensioners' Association (TÜED), wanted the lowest pension to be at the minimum wage level. Ergün told Anadolu Agency (AA) that while the lowest pension was 257 lira in December 2002, the minimum wage was 184 lira in the same period. Reminding that the lowest pension is at the level of 1,500 lira with the state contribution, and the minimum wage is at the level of 2 thousand 825 lira.
“The minimum wage, which was 184 lira in December 2002, increased by 1.433 percent in the intervening period, while the lowest retired worker pension was 257 lira, increased by 483 percent. While the minimum wage in 2002 was 72 percent of the lowest pensioner's pension, today the pension equals 53 percent of the minimum wage. In nearly 20 years, the gap between the base pension and the minimum wage has reversed when it was in favor of the retiree," he stated.
“ALLOWANCE METHOD MUST BE CHANGED”
Expressing that the pensions started to decrease after 2008 and gradually fell below half of the minimum wage, “The injustice between the minimum wage and the lowest pension should be eliminated and a standard in terms of equity should be provided by changing the pension method that causes great injustices. We call out to our President and the authorities; It is impossible to fight for life with a pension of 1,500 lira. The minimum pension should be equal to the minimum wage. In order for our retirees to survive in harsh winter conditions, significant increases should be made,” Ergün added.