Turkey to extend coronavirus wage supports by a month

ISTANBUL

Turkey will extend a wage support system for one month to continue offsetting fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on June 29.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan said cash aid to low-income families would also be extended for a month. He said 18 billion Turkish Liras ($2.6 billion) had been disbursed so far under the two programs.

"Our only desire from the public in this process is that they support us by following the rules, taking care of their jobs, production, and protecting their country," Erdoğan said.

The short labour pay - which partially covers wages of formally-employed workers whose hours are cut - will extend into July. It came into effect in March shortly after the first COVID-19 case was identified in Turkey.

Some officials in tourism and other sectors had said the system should be extended by another three months.

Economy in 'strong recovery period'

Erdoğan also said that Turkey is in a "very strong recovery period" based on preliminary economic data for this June.

Turkey's economic confidence index rose sharply to 73.5 in June, the country's statistical authority announced on Monday, adding that the figure jumped 19.1% from 61.7 last month as Turkey relaxed coronavirus-related restrictions

"Turkey's 4.5% growth in the first quarter is the greatest proof of the economy's power and potential," he said.

The president stressed that Turkey will become one of the world's "star countries" to reshape itself after the novel pandemic.

Erdoğan also underlined that Turkey aims to zero out the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

"We’re determined to move our country away from the risk group," he said.