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Turkish grannies to get state salaries for grandchildren’s care

The Turkish government has drawn up a program of financial support for women who assume the home care of their grandchildren in the age group of 0-3, but not everyone is happy with the program.
An elderly woman stands next to a graffiti showing the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in downtown Istanbul on October 28, 2015, a week ahead of the country's general elections on November 1. The election is crucial for the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP), which lost its majority in a June vote thanks to a strong performance by a pro-Kurdish party, scuppering president Erdogan's hopes of changing the constitution to expand his presidential powers. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKO

ANKARA, Turkey — Child care is the biggest challenge for working mothers, but the Turkish government has found an easy solution: pay grandmothers to look after the children.

Turkish law requires workplaces, both public and private, to provide child care facilities for their employees, but most establishments do not comply with the rules to avoid additional costs. Instead of fulfilling their responsibilities, they prefer to pay fines.

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