Economic hardships are mounting in Rize: Calls for a minimum wage increase
Residents of Rize are highlighting the difficulty of making ends meet with the current minimum wage in the face of rising living costs, and are demanding a higher minimum wage.
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Citizens in Rize state that they are struggling to make a living due to the rapid rise in rent, utility bills, and basic food expenses. Expressing that the current minimum wage is insufficient, city residents argue that the minimum wage should be between 35 thousand and 50 thousand liras.
A citizen selling sandwiches from a mobile stall said, "They should search their consciences. Natural gas, electricity, water, and rent are constantly increasing. It is impossible to get by on the minimum wage. If I didn't have my tea, I would go hungry," and demanded a minimum wage of at least 35 thousand liras.
Another citizen expressed their reaction by saying, "Those who determine the minimum wage should set it at a level that would be enough for them. We don't need numbers; if it is enough for them, it should be enough for us too."
RISING COSTS AND THE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET
Another city resident, complaining about the high cost of bills and basic expenses, said, "Rents are very expensive. The minimum wage could be 35 thousand, or even 40 thousand liras." A retired citizen remarked, "The largest banknote is 200 liras; you can't even buy a plate of food with it. The minimum wage needs to be 50 thousand liras. However, you shouldn't raise prices after it becomes 50 thousand liras."
A citizen named İsmail, who was feeding pigeons with his children at Atatürk Square, criticized the situation with irony, saying, "They shouldn't raise the minimum wage at all. Germany is jealous of us economically. Everywhere is full of houses and cars. Don't raise it, we'll eat dry bread."
Another city resident showed their reaction to the current situation by saying, "My rent is 22 thousand, and I receive 25 thousand liras. Natural gas, electricity, water, everything has gone through the roof. Making a living is hard, you can't even buy food. Our youth are unemployed and idle. This is not what the state is, this is not the law; this is not justice."
Finally, a resident of Rize expressed their demands with the words, "I think the minimum wage should be 50 thousand liras. I pay 23 thousand liras in rent and I am putting 2 children through school. My spouse is a retiree. As a Rizeli, we want 50 thousand; anything less won't cut it."