Because of the collapse in the exchange rate of the Turkish lira to the US dollar in November, migrant workers from Turkmenistan in Turkey are in a dire financial situation.
On 13 December, the lira exchange rate nosedived to its new historical minimum.The US dollar exchange rate rose from 8,5 liras in September to the current rate of 14 liras.
The increase in the exchange rate has caused price hikes for groceries, rent and utilities.Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that salaries have remained at the same level.
Migrant workers prefer ordinary groceries (bread, sausage, confectionery products and canned goods) produced in countries of the former Soviet Union. Some shops in Istanbul sell goods from Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Russia, which are cheaper than Turkish groceries.
Prices for groceries have also increased.The price for a large Turkish flatbread went up from 3 to 7 liras, a small one from 1,50 to 3 liras, a 200 gram package of green tea rom 10 to 20 liras, a can of condensed milk from 15 to 25 liras, sausage from 30 to 45 liras, smoked sausage from 35 to 60 liras, tinned stew meat from 15 to 35 liras, smoked fish from 35 to 60 liras, a kilo of сaramel candies from 30 to 79 liras, a kilo of chocolate candies from 40 to 90 liras and a kilo of gingerbread from 8 to 15 liras.
A 600 gram pack of Ukranian сured pork fat is sold at 100 liras; a half liter bottle of the Uzbek vodka “Khayot” costs 70 liras, a one liter bottle is 120 liras.
Moreover, migrant workers prefer to eat at Turkmen or Uzbek cafes. A lunch consisting of soup, samsa and tea Costs 50 to 60 liras ($3,5-4,3). Meals are cheaper in Uzbek cafes. Migrant workers claim that meat is supplied from Uzbekistan because of the regular air travel service between the countries.
Monthly rent for the cheapest accommodation in old houses is 1500 liras ($107). The average monthly bill went up from 160-170 to 300 liras ($21), water from 130-140 to 340-350 liras ($25) and gas to 450-500 liras ($34 a month).
Monthly salaries of migrant workers employed at construction sites and factories range from 3000 to 3500 liras ($214-$250). Higher salaries, of up to 5000 liras ($357), are paid to housemaids, nannies or сaretakers who often live in on full board at their employers’ houses.
Because of the deteriorating financial situation the majority of migrant workers are unable to transfer money to their family members in Turkmenistan.Some are considering relocating to other countries.
About a month ago there were rumours among migrant workers that visas to Poland could be obtained.It appears that the timing of the rumours coincided with the crisis at the Belarus-Poland border where there were several thousand refugees from Iraq and Syria.
Several Turkmen nationals obtained visas through the travel agencies, bought tickets and tried to get to Poland. However, they later returned to Istanbul.
Priority destinations for future migration are the UAE and Russia. Some travel agencies assist in obtaining a visa and one-way ticket: a ticket to Dubai costs $800 whereas the price for a ticket to Moscow is $600.
There is very tough competition among migrant workers in both countries: many residents of the former Soviet republics are employed in Moscow and a huge number of migrants from India, Pakistan, Philippines and Central Asian countries work in Dubai.
Nevertheless, many Turkmen migrant workers are hoping to relocate unless they receive salary increase or the exchange rate of the Turkish lira to the dollar reverts to its previous level because not only do they need to provide for themselves but also to help their families in Turkmenistan.
The post The collapse in the Turkish lira exchange rate makes Turkmen migrant workers in Turkey look for work in other countries first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.