The Union of All Retirees made a press statement in Ankara. In the press release, it was pointed out that the inflation figure announced by TÜİK does not reflect the truth, and it was stated that it was aimed to reduce the increases to be made in the salaries of retirees and employees thanks to the data announced by TÜİK.
“EVEN BUYING BREAD HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR RETIREES”
Ali Rıfat Temel, General Secretary of All Retirees' Union VQA, stated that they do not recognize the TUIK figures, and underlined that retirees and employees are deceived with the announced data.
"Only between 28 May and 1 July tea prices increased by 43 percent and fuel oil increased by more than 25 percent. It is not possible to keep up with market prices. Bread has increased between 20 and 50 percent in some places. Even buying bread for the house has been a challenge for the retirees. We forgot the meat. It has become impossible to buy vegetables and fruits in the agricultural country. The brake of your currency has blown. The label of a consumer product bought yesterday is being changed today. In an environment where a slice of baklava was sold for 15-20 liras, there was not a single cent increase to the 2 thousand liras paid as a holiday bonus. They saw a lot of retirement holidays," Temel said.
“IMMEDIATELY REDUCE OUR PENSIONS TO THE LEVEL OF HUMANITY”
Stating that the majority of retirees are below the hunger limit, Temel underlined that the situation has become grave.
"We're talking about the hunger limit! What a grave situation, we call on TÜİK, get your hands off our pockets. We have both hands on your collar. We are calling out to the power, you can manage poverty for a while with lies, but hunger cannot be managed. Retire hungry, hear our voice and immediately reduce our salaries to a humane level," Temel said.
“EVEN TEA AND SIMIT HAS BECOME A LUXURIOUS FOR RETIREES”
Pointing out that the purchasing power of retirees has decreased by 25 percent in the last month, Temel stated that the government ignores the decrease in purchasing power.
"According to our calculations, our salaries decreased by over 52 percent in the first 6 months. A glass of tea and a bagel cost 20 liras. So even the tea bagel has become a luxury. A family of 4 pays 240 TL per day even if they eat a cup of tea and a bagel for 3 meals a day. He pays 7 thousand 200 TL per month. That is almost the amount of a pension. It is announced to those who make a tea bagel account," Temel added.