From “Great Turkey” to “the Century of Turkey”: What Has Changed in Our Lives?

In 2011, in the run-up to the general elections, the AKP was seeking votes for “Great Turkey”. Its electoral promises included prosperity, stability, a strong economy and peace. In 2012, under the mantra of “Great Nation, Great Power, Vision 2023”, AKP listed its promises as follows: a single-digit inflation, 25,000 dollars per capita income, a lower unemployment rate and a higher employment rate… During the years that followed, the motto of “Great Turkey” and the targets of the 2023 vision were used by the government for propaganda purposes. In the 2023 elections, however, the government came up with a new slogan: “the Century of Turkey!” So, on the way from “Great Turkey” to “the Century of Turkey” throughout the past 12 years, what has changed in our lives?

As the rulers shouted “Great Turkey” in election rallies, TV screens and parliamentary rostrums, the economy went into free fall. During this process, the lira depreciated, inflation skyrocketed and real wages melted away. In the end, we became even more impoverished. Let alone getting closer to the 2023 targets, each passing year has been worse than the previous one. We ended up unable to make ends meet without working overtime and borrowing money. Under these conditions, we entered the 14 May election process. Again, speeches and promises pervaded the agenda. This time we must vote for “the Century of Turkey”!

In his pre-election speech, Erdogan said, “We promise a new era marked by the struggle to grow, strengthen and enrich Turkey. We will restrain the rising house prices and rents. Likewise, we will put an end to the price increases that directly affect the daily lives of our people, especially food prices.” This is what was promised. In reality, however, the government was biding its time to place the burden of the economic destruction on the working class.

Indeed, right after the election, the government rapidly launched “the Century of Turkey” and bombarded us with successive decrees passed by the parliament at jet speed. Although it is impossible to list all these attacks here, let us briefly mention the major ones. The value added tax (VAT) rate of 8% was raised to 10%. The general VAT rate was increased from 18% to 20%.

VAT on hygiene products such as shampoo, soap, detergent, and toilet paper was increased from 8% to 20%. Fees for services such as passport, visa, notary, lawsuit, licence etc. were increased by 50%. While we had not yet recovered from the VAT shock, special consumption tax (SCT) on fuel was tripled. It was also decided to automatically increase SCT on fuel every 6 months at the rate of producer inflation (PPI). The fuel price hikes do not only concern car owners, it also means price hikes for all products. Storm of price hikes did not end with the VAT and fuel. Even toilet paper has become a luxury now. In the meantime, rents continue to skyrocket.

In the face of the continuous depreciation of the lira and the successive hikes, the wages of all unionised and non-unionised workers have melted away. On the day it was determined as 11,402 liras, the minimum wage was equal to 482 dollars. By the end of July, it decreased to 420 dollars. With wages having fallen to the level of minimum wage, the raise rates determined in collective bargains have lost their validity. Through the trick of “equal pay rise”, the base wages of public workers were once again kept low. The biggest blow, however, was dealt to the pensioners.

The “minimum pension”, which is determined by the government, was not increased. The base salaries were already very low. As a result, despite a 25% pay raise, nearly 9 million pensioners were sentenced to miserable wages that is equal to, or a little bit higher than, 7,500 liras. For the second half of the year, the severance pay ceiling was determined as 23,489 liras, falling to the lowest level in its history. In other words, for each year they worked, workers will be able to receive a maximum of 23,489 liras of severance pay, regardless of their gross wages.

Let us ask the same question once again: from “Great Turkey” to “the Century of Turkey”, what has changed in our lives”? Economic problems, which would have allegedly been solved by now, have further exacerbated. The high cost of living and poverty, which we considered as were temporary, have become permanent. Our wages, which we thought were rising, have actually plummeted. As we all work overtime to make ends meet, our working hours have increased to 12 hours in practice. Apart from these facts, what has changed in our lives?

It is high time that we face the facts. In Worker’s Solidarity, we often emphasise that we should not wait for a saviour and that it is our own hands that will save us. We point out that artificial polarisation is a trap that divides us and makes us unable to claim our rights. No matter which party we voted for, no matter our language, belief or hometown, we are all workers and labourers. We have common problems and solutions. If we want a positive change in our lives, we must face the attacks together and unite our struggle.