With more and more grandmothers taking on the role of babysitting as both parents head to work, Turkey decided it's high time these grannies get compensated for their help.
Turkey's Ministry of Family and Social Policies and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security launched a joint project to provide Turkish grandmothers with a monthly allowance of 425 Turkish Lira, or about $114, according to the Daily Sabah. The amount is equal to 30 percent of Turkey's net minimum wage.
In order to qualify, the grandmothers must be under the age of 65.
Grandmothers babysitting grandchildren is a widespread phenomenon in Turkey, and while the payment under the government's new initiative may seem low, it's still better than what they usually receive - which is to say, no payment other than the love of their family in return.
The "Grandmother Project" is set to start with 5,000 families in Istanbul and Bursa, and then expanded to families in Izmir, Ankara, Antalya, and other cities arcoss the country.
