Hundreds of public sector employees demonstrated on Tuesday in Ankara, demanding a real increase in wages and warning that salaries are being rapidly eroded by the rising cost of living.
The protest was organized with the backing of the KESK trade union confederation, which said current pay raises are far below actual expenses.
“Rent increases alone are almost three times higher than the wage raise we received,” KESK said in a statement. “Our salaries no longer even cover the rise in housing costs, let alone basic living needs.”
According to official data published in Turkey, annual inflation in December 2025 stood at 30.89%, with a monthly increase of 0.89%. However, labor unions and independent economists argue that real inflation felt by households is significantly higher, especially for food, housing, and energy.
The demonstration highlights growing social pressure inside Turkey as public servants, alongside other sectors, struggle to cope with persistent inflation and declining purchasing power.