KTAMS: Hunger Threshold for November Reaches 17,880 TL

KTAMS President Güven Bengihan, in a written statement, highlighted a difference of 2,130 TL between the minimum wage and the hunger threshold. He revealed that as of November 30, the hunger threshold for a family of four stands at 17,880 TL, with a disparity of 2,130 TL compared to the minimum wage. The minimum wage is stated as 430 pounds, while the hunger threshold is 489 pounds.

In his written statement, KTAMS President Güven Bengihan claimed that the widening gap between the minimum wage and the hunger threshold is pushing minimum-wage earners into hunger.

Bengihan pointed out that high inflation is rapidly eroding the purchasing power of all salaried groups and expressed the opinion that the goal of maintaining purchasing power is deviating due to the semi-annual reflection of the cost of living allowance on salaries.

According to Bengihan, based on a report prepared by KTAMS, considering the prices sent by the Statistical Institute for the healthy nutrition of a family of four, the hunger threshold for November is calculated as 17,880 TL.

Bengihan, based on the union's research, stated that the mandatory food expenditure for a healthy diet is as follows: daily 151.78 TL for an adult woman, monthly 4,553.4 TL; daily 158.94 TL for an adult man, monthly 4,768.2 TL; daily 170.16 TL for a child aged 15-19, monthly 5,104.8 TL; and daily 115.13 TL for a child aged 4-6, monthly 3,453.9 TL.

Highlighting that the official figures from the Statistical Institute show a 4.42% inflation rate in the country for November 2023, Bengihan emphasized that the annual inflation rate is 81.99%, with the last five months' inflation affecting salaries calculated at 40.84%.

Bengihan concluded, stating, "It is evident how justified our request for more frequent adjustments to the cost of living allowance is. Urgent legal arrangements should be made to increase the salaries of those earning the minimum wage in line with the rate of inflation, similar to the intervals applied to public servants and retirees, ensuring that minimum-wage earners are not left at the mercy of employers."