Türkiye enters new year with pay hikes but falling living standards

STORY: Türkiye enters new year with pay hikes but falling living standards DATELINE: Jan. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:30 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. people at ATMs and shops in Türkiye 2. people in different kind of bazaars in Türkiye 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): NIHAT BASARAN, Veteran 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ADEM CAM, Pensioner STORYLINE: Türkiye has ushered in the new year with significant pay hikes for minimum-wage earners, pensioners, and civil servants amid a cost-of-living crisis that has plunged millions into financial hardship. Inflation remains alarmingly high despite a sharp drop to 64.2 percent in December, the Turkish Statistical Institute announced on Jan. 3, down from 84.3 percent reported in November after hitting a 24-year high in October. Annual food prices rose by 77.9 percent in December, down from 102.6 percent in November, while energy prices increased 118 percent, down from 94.4 percent compared to the previous month. The government announced a 55-percent increase in