The economic devastation caused by war policies is making life increasingly difficult for pensioners who have spent their lives working. As the budget for armament and security spending increases, salaries are eroding and livelihood difficulties are deepening. Hüseyin Kurt, President of the Mersin Branch of the All Pensioners Union (Tüm Emekli-Sen) 2021, stated that the economic policies being implemented are enriching the wealthy while impoverishing pensioners. 

 

Kurt said, "Unfortunately, neoliberal policies are impoverishing us every day. Our salaries are not even enough for basic needs. A pensioner receiving 16,500 lira can no longer pay their rent. Years ago, a pension was 40 per cent more than the minimum wage; now it has fallen to one full, one quarter, and one gram of gold. Our purchasing power has hit rock bottom." 

 

Saying that war policies have destroyed the country's economy, Kurt said, "Military domination is needed for neoliberal policies to continue in the country. This means that the people's resources are being transferred to warlords and construction billionaires. Prosperity is not possible without democracy and peace. If workers, peasants and students come together, this order will change."

 

'THIS STATE HAS NO SHAME'

 

Retired Sıdıka Gündüz said that in the past, retirement meant a secure life, but today it has turned into a struggle for survival: "I receive a pension of 19,000 lira, and rents are at the same level. Meat costs 750 lira, fruit has exceeded 100 lira. With a single pension, you can only pay the rent. I'm lucky to have my own home, but when I look at my friends who are renting, I feel ashamed. This state is not ashamed. Income distribution is very poor, and if economic policies do not change, there will be no way out of this situation."

 

'EVEN HEALTH AND COMMUNICATION ARE A LUXURY'

 

Retired Osman Koçak drew attention to rising expenses: "The telephone costs 500 lira, electricity has gone from 500 to 1,500. We do government business through e-government, so the telephone is a necessity. Healthcare services are supposedly free, but with co-payments and medication costs, it has become impossible to live debt-free." 

 

Koçak noted that war policies deepen social division and concluded: "In the capitalist system, production is done for profit. Profit is seen in the war industry, not in agriculture. In Turkey, 1% of the population owns 25% of the income. While some lose, others gain. Migrants are pitted against each other. However, the solution is to accept that workers have common interests. No problem can be solved without Turks, Kurds, workers and pensioners standing side by side."

 

MA / Abdulkadir Ayten - Mehmet Gules