A group of Turks who complain about the high price of food and drink in cafes and restaurants and accuse business owners of engaging in opportunism amid an economic downturn have decided to organize a boycott over the weekend, the Serbestiyet news website reported on Thursday.
The weekend boycott launched on social media by people who argue that they can no longer afford to eat out due to high inflation and financial difficulties also received support from some public figures.
The boycott aims to protest increased prices for smaller servings as well as spikes in the cost of living. Organizers and supporters of the boycott allege that businesses are using Turkey’s inflationary environment as an excuse to boost their profits.
Among those supporting the social media campaign, announced with the hashtag #fahisyemeğeBOYKOT (Boycott overpriced food), are economy expert İris Cibre and journalists Cengiz Erdinç and Sevilay Yılman.
Cibre invited everyone to join the boycott to “put an end to opportunism” in a tweet.
“A half serving of chicken döner can’t cost TL 200. A single bowl of lentil soup can’t cost TL 200. This isn’t inflation, it’s profiteering!” Erdinç said.
1 yarım ekmek tavuk döner 200 tl olamaz. 1 tane mercimek çorbası 200 TL olamaz. Bunun adı enflasyon değil, fırsatçılık! 20-21 Nisan Cumartesi Pazar Cafe ve Restaurantlara gitmiyoruz Fırsatçılığa son vermek için herkesi katılmaya davet ediyoruz #fahişyemeğeBOYKOT
— Cengiz Erdinç (@cengizerdinc) April 18, 2024
Yılman urged people not to go to cafes and restaurants April 20-21 even if they are invited, noting that it’s necessary to show the power of the people against the shopkeepers who “exploit inflation as an excuse and knowingly overcharge the public.”
20/21 Nisan Cumartesi Pazar Cafe ve Restaurantlara davetli olsak bile gitmiyoruz!!!
Fahiş yeme içme fiyatlarını boykot ediyoruz!
Haydi millet…
Biz el ele verirsek yapamayacağımız hiçbir şey YOK!
Şu partiliyim bu partiliyim demeden bu boykotu yayalım… https://t.co/0DZiuQz5Qw
— Sevilay Yılman (@sevilayyaziyor) April 17, 2024
The latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) showed that Turkey’s food inflation in February was 71.1 percent, a figure more than 13 times higher than the average of 38 OECD countries. According to the OECD, Turkey’s food inflation rate has increased by 18.6 percent since May 2023.
Over the past several years the country has been suffering from a deteriorating economy, with high inflation, which stands over 65 percent, and unemployment, as well as a poor human rights record. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is criticized for mishandling the economy, emptying the state’s coffers and establishing one-man rule in the country where dissent is suppressed and opponents are jailed on politically motivated charges.