Return to EPI Newsroom | Browse news by TOPIC | Browse archived news by DATE | Search archived news releases by KEYWORD

NewsFlash: November 30, 2006

Turkey After the Crisis — Report and Dec. 12 Event

Turkey, traditionally billed as a “bridge between the East and the West,” appears to be straddling the divide more than ever. As Turkey moves closer to a future in the European Union, does it do so at the expense of the broader population? 

In a new report  from the Global Policy Network (GPN), Turkish economist Erinc Yeldan examines the challenges of Turkey’s economy, as government policy has put the interests of global capital above labor. He examines how, after Turkey’s economic and political crises in 2000 and 2001, working people have borne the brunt of its problems. Unemployment rose from 6.4% to 11.9% over nearly a decade and labor productivity has risen sharply while real wages have gone down over the last five years.

And on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m., GPN will host a Washington, DC, press event to discuss the state of Turkey’s labor force and economy, including how much impact the war in Iraq has made on the country. Speakers will include Erinc Yeldan, and it will be hosted at the Economic Policy Institute at 1333 H St., NW, East Tower, 3rd floor. More details are forthcoming.