Inflation hits administrative workers

According to the research carried out in September with the participation of 201 administrative workers who continue their professional lives in the main holdings and corporations in Turkey; The issues that administrative workers have had the most difficulties due to inflation in recent months are; transportation-fuel with 59.7 percent, food with 55.2 percent, clothing-footwear and accessories with 44.8 percent. These expense items were followed by food and beverages outside the home at 37.3 percent and housing rentals at 32.8 percent.

On the other hand, 29.9 percent of white-collar workers cut their budget for food and beverages outside the home by the largest percentage compared to last year, followed by vacations and travel at 25.4 percent. Consumer electronics and clothing, accessories and footwear were other items to which less budget was assigned compared to last year.

THE RATE OF THOSE WHO GO ON VACATION HAS DECREASED

According to the research, while the rate of those who went on vacation nationwide in 2022 was 64.2 percent, this rate decreased to 50.7 percent in the summer of 2023. On the other hand, this year hotels boutique were by far the first choice of white-collar workers. They were followed by those who went to their hometowns, to 5-star hotels and those who rented houses.

However, a total of 4 in 10 white-collar workers stated that they could not or did not prefer to take vacations.

PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE USED LESS

Another prominent topic of the research was methods to combat transportation costs.

In this sense, white-collar workers stated that they would use their private vehicles less to combat transportation costs, followed by those who plan to use public transportation.

One in four white-collar workers said they would take no action to combat transportation costs.

‘THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE EXPENSES AND THE IMMIGRANTS’

White-collar workers were asked about the two most important issues expected to be on Turkey’s agenda in the last quarter of 2023.

According to this; While inflation and the cost of living were ranked as the biggest problem awaiting Turkey at 85 percent, the problem of immigration was next at 44.8 percent.

Other issues were: Not being able to find housing (22.4 percent), earthquake (17.9 percent) and unemployment (17.9 percent). On the other hand, the climate crisis took last place with increasing geopolitical tension and the danger of dehydration.