65 years on, many Turkish 'guest workers' face poverty

The 1961 agreement between West Germany and Turkey allowed temporary recruitment of Turkish workers but has led to long-term poverty among many of these 'guest workers', whose pensions are significantly lower than their German counterparts, with many now facing financial difficulties.

Sixty-five years after the agreement between West Germany and Turkey to recruit Turkish workers, many of these so-called 'guest workers' are now living in poverty. By 1973, about 870,000 Turkish migrants had settled in Germany, working predominantly in low-wage sectors like coal mining and manufacturing. Today, poverty among elderly Turkish migrants is reported at 25-30%, significantly higher than the 12-14% rate for Germans. These workers, often faced with lower incomes and intermittent employment, now rely on pensions that are much less than their German peers. The issue highlights the lack of support and training initiatives for migrant workers over the decades, exacerbating their financial vulnerability in retirement.

Source: DW – https://www.dw.com/en/many-turkish-guest-workers-hit-by-poverty-in-old-age/a-79746838