Many Turkish 'guest workers' hit by poverty in old age
On October 30, 1961, West Germany and Turkey signed an agreement allowing the temporary recruitment of workers. Sixty-five years on, many so-called 'guest workers' cannot live from their pensions.
When Düsseldorf Airport welcomed the first Turkish guest workers 65 years ago, they were embarking on a journey that would significantly shape Germany's demographic and economic landscape. By the time recruitment ended in 1973, approximately 870,000 Turkish men and women had migrated to Germany for work, settling predominantly in cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Duisburg.
These laborers toiled in the coal mines, performed piecework on assembly lines, or cleaned factory floors, making significant contributions to Germany's prosperity. However, despite their contributions, many of these former "guest workers" now face poverty in their retirement years. Haci-Halil Uslucan, a professor of Modern Turkish Studies, highlights the stark reality that 25% to 30% of migrants experience poverty in old age, compared to 12% to 14% among native Germans.
The disability rate and early retirement rates also disproportionately affect this group, largely due to the physically demanding nature of their early labor. Additionally, their pensions are notably lower, with Turkish pensioners receiving about €360 ($403) less per month than German pensioners, amounting to €890 versus €1,250 per month as of June 2026.
This disparity is attributed to their lower wages, shorter work history, and often interrupted working lives. Social scientist Eric Seils explains that many guest workers entered Germany later in their careers, earning less and working in less skilled sectors, which led to poorer pension contributions and benefits. The deindustrialization of the early 1970s and the subsequent oil crisis further exacerbated job losses among these workers.
Women, particularly those living alone, face even more dire circumstances, with higher poverty rates and a significantly lower employment rate (5.2% compared to 10.8% for Germans). The physical toll of their earlier jobs has also impacted their health, leading to a lower employment rate in retirement. The article underscores that the guest workers, who initially contributed significantly to Germany's economy, now struggle with poverty, highlighting the long-term consequences of their labor.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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