Erdogan Abolishes Retirement Age Limits – Over 2 Million Workers Retire Immediately

The president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan abolished retirement age limits today, a decision that will allow more of 2 million workers to retire immediately, less than six months before the presidential election.

The announcement was made at a press conference held by Erdogan at the presidential palace.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) made a bold move to raise the minimum wage last week as part of a campaign launched to win back voter support that has been eroded by inflation, a falling pound and the sharp deterioration of living conditions.

Retirement age limits it was until today 58 years for women and 60 for men. It is unclear how much the new system will cost, but Erdogan said 2.25 million people are eligible to retire immediately.

Today the pensioners in Turkey amount to 13.9 million.

Unions have been protesting for many years calling for the removal of age limits and for workers to retire after completing the required number of working days. The decision is expected to give Erdogan a boost ahead of crucial elections in June.

In his two decades in power, Erdogan has cracked down on dissent and in recent years has adopted an unorthodox economic policy that has plunged the lira to a tenth of its value against the dollar, compared with its parity a decade ago.