The economic crisis in Turkey and North Kurdistan is hitting the people in the Kurdish provinces particularly hard. According to the state statistics agency TÜIK, annual inflation was 64.77 percent in 2023, but according to the independent inflation research group (ENAG), it was 127.21 percent. After an increase of 49 percent on 1 January 2024, the minimum wage in Turkey is 518 euros (as of 9 January 2024, because the value of the 17,008.62 Turkish Lira minimum monthly wage decreases daily due to inflation) per month for a 45-hour week.

The economic crisis continues to deepen because of the AKP-MHP regime's war spending. People's purchasing power is decreasing rapidly, while the costs of food, electricity and heating are increasing.

ANF spoke to people in Amed (Diyarbakır) about their situation.

Mecit Turgay said that he was disabled and unemployed. He immediately made the connection between war and crisis and said: “First the war has to stop, mothers shouldn't cry. This requires visits to Imrali. If the money spent on war is invested in agriculture and education, then the crisis will end. The government is currently trying to pass a law that would lock women in their homes. Women should be more involved in education, business, politics and life. There should be free, scientific and democratic universities. Young people and women should participate more in life.”

“The war started again and people got poorer”

Remzi Elçi recalled that during the “dialogue process” between the Turkish government and the PKK, the economic situation in the country also improved and added: “Many of us became homeowners, our jobs were going well. Everyone had an income. As the money spent on the war benefited the people, prosperity improved. But when the war started again, we became poor again. All the money goes to the war. People are having great financial difficulties. People no longer calculate a few days in advance, but rather a few hours in advance. That is a big problem. Wage increases are not enough and inflation is rampant. A loaf of bread costs 15-16 TL. How can a family with two children live on the minimum wage? Not everyone can even work for the minimum wage. Most companies employ people without insurance and below minimum wage.”

“Impossible to earn a living without stealing”

Mehmet Çiftçi said that people now have great problems making a living. Both transport and food prices are greatly affected by inflation. He said: “It has become impossible to make a living without stealing or laundering money. People are stuck, they are burdened with credit cards and new loans that they cannot repay. How can people make a living? The civil servants cannot make a living. The minimum wage earners cannot make a living. Nobody can buy a house or a car. If you cannot guarantee young people a future, they will go to other countries in search of a quality of life and freedom. Who wants to live abroad, separated from their parents?”

“People are condemned to starve”

Burhan Işlen said that although he was single, he was unable to make a living. Işlen said that he went to the hospital because of a cold and paid 90 TL for a medicine. He continued: “Bread costs 15 TL, transportation costs 14 TL. How can we live? There are people with chronic illnesses who need to take medication regularly every month. Does the government know the price of medicine? We cannot make a living. Since we are ruled by a despotic administration, people do not dare to speak, but the facts do not disappear through despotism. How can a family of five survive on the minimum wage? The government says they are Muslims, and there are people who vote for them because they pray, but Allah curses the oppressor. Allah curses the one who eats his servant's bread. People's poverty is ignored. People are condemned to starvation. This system needs to change.”