Özgür Özel speaks in Kilis: 'Retiree pensions should be equal to the minimum wage'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel inaugurated the "Retirees' Coffeehouse" in Kilis as part of the Provincial Chairs Meeting held in the city. In his speech at the opening, Özel drew attention to the inadequacy of retiree pensions, stating, "Before this government, retiree pensions were one and a half times the minimum wage, but now they are forced to get by on 12,500 liras."

Emphasizing that a living wage is essential for retirees, Özel argued that the lowest pension should be at least equal to the minimum wage. Furthermore, calling for the minimum wage to be raised to 30,000 liras, Özel said, "This campaign of ours is continuing across all of Turkey. The days when retirees will receive the pensions they deserve are very close."

During his conversation with retirees, Özel also touched upon the amount of gold they could purchase with their pensions in the past, criticizing current inflation and the erosion of purchasing power, stating, "Back then, you could buy 14 quarter-gold coins with a retiree pension; today, 14 quarter-gold coins cost 70,000 TL. That is how much they have set you back."

In his speech, noting that showing loyalty to retirees is important for the country's future, Özel asked, "Today's retirees are the ones who built the Turkey that exists today. If loyalty is not shown to retirees, to whom will it be shown?"