Unions hold protest walkout in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey, March 15 (UPI) -- Doctors, street cleaners and teachers downed tools for two hours Friday across Turkey to protest a plan to raise the retirement age.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the strike illegal, The New Anatolian reported.

The government warns that the deficit in the social security fund could increase from $20 million to $30 million this year unless the system is changed, Hurriyet reported. Under the proposal, the retirement age would be increased gradually.

Women can now retire at 44 and men at 48. The government would like to set the minimum age at 58 for women and 60 for men.

But most unions oppose the plan. On Friday, hospitals provided only emergency services for two hours, and teachers left their classes.

One news agency, ANKA, published only strike-related stories during the walkout.