State official calls on all workers to give up a month's pay

A Turkish governor who is in charge of coordinating the government's relief efforts in the earthquake zone made a public call on all wage earners to give up a month's pay to contribute to aid for the victims.

Governor Osman Bilgin also suggested that people donate 10% of their properties' worth to support relief efforts.

He said on Tuesday:

"This disaster we're going through, it's not a normal one. Let me call on the citizens of Turkey, the Turkish people: I'm asking everybody to donate 10% of their possessions in support of this process. If you have 10 lira, donate one lira. Let's get ourselves out of this situation in solidarity. Do not let the value of your 10 lira be depreciated to 5 lira, let it be appreciated to 20 lira instead."

He added:

"I'm asking all public servants to give up a month's pay. Nothing terrible will happen if they do. I mean, we won't starve. I'm asking all workers to donate a month's pay."