Are they waiting for the welfare state or Godot? Reflections from people who lost their jobs or incomes during Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

This study presents the waiting experiences of individuals who lost their jobs or income and fell below the hunger line during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey from a rights-based perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 participants who experienced challenging pandemic conditions in different provinces of Turkey. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on individuals' experiences waiting out the pandemic. The results of the study show that the pandemic multiplied, gendered, legitimised, and reproduced waiting. It was found that waiting was an aspect that was used as a technique to control citizens. Moreover, the various difficulties and waiting experiences encountered during the pandemic in Turkey have led to institutional insecurity of the welfare state and the emergence of individual and gender practices.