Northern Cyprus public servants union says poverty line hits 244,818 TL

The Kıbrıs Türk Amme Memurları Sendikası (KTAMS) announced that, effective 31 July 2026, a four‑person household in the Turkish‑Cypriot community would need 244,818 Turkish lira per month to stay above the poverty line. The same report set the “hunger line” at 45,389 TL, based on calculated monthly food costs of 12,013 TL for an adult woman, 12,266 TL for an adult man, 12,389 TL for a 13‑18‑year‑old child and 8,720 TL for an 8‑12‑year‑old child. The union noted that the net minimum wage is 61,677 TL (gross 70,893 TL) and argued that the current minimum‑wage level is far below what is required for a family’s basic needs.

KTAMS criticised the Turkish Statistical Institute’s use of a 2015 base consumer‑price‑index basket, calling it outdated and urging an immediate update. President Güven Bengihan said the figures demonstrate that “a two‑child, four‑person family needs 244,818 TL per month for a humane livelihood,” indicating that minimum‑wage earners are being left in poverty. The union’s breakdown of monthly expenses listed food and non‑alcoholic drinks at 45,389 TL, transport at 38,779 TL, housing and utilities at 35,768 TL, culture and entertainment at 25,437 TL, education at 19,953 TL and restaurant services at 17,186 TL.