Hairdresser in Suhl: Free haircuts for poor seniors!

Hairdresser in Suhl: Free haircuts for poor seniors!

In Suhl, Thuringia, a master hairdresser worked his way into the hearts of seniors with a remarkable campaign. Zedan Salih offers free haircuts for seniors who receive pensions of less than 1,200 euros per month. Loud Fulda newspaper The aim of this initiative is to actively support pension-dependent people who are struggling with financial bottlenecks.

Salih, who came to Germany in 2015 for personal reasons, explains that many pensioners in Germany cannot afford hairdressing services. He knows these challenges from his own experience. He wants to set an example with his “Master Zebari” salon, which he opened in a Kaufland supermarket in 2021. He has now also opened a second branch in Hildburghausen. Loud tz he campaigns for long overdue political measures against poverty in old age.

Old-age poverty in Germany

The situation of old-age poverty in Germany is alarming. Reportedly survive3.5 millionPeople over 65 years of age in poverty, resulting in an at-risk-of-poverty rate of19.6 percentcorresponds. In 2024 there was a total of about17.6 millionPeople in Germany affected by poverty or social exclusion20.9 percentof the total population. Women are more affected than men in all age groups, with a poverty rate of20.2 percentamong senior women. This highlights the precarious situation of many older people, as stated in a report by buerger-geld.org is held.

Another aspect that contributes to poverty in old age is basic security: received in June 2024728,990People receive basic security in old age, which represents an increase of 37,000 compared to the previous year. Single parents, the long-term unemployed and people with low qualifications are particularly hard hit.

Political and social solutions

Given these worrying figures, it is no wonder that Salih is calling for more action from politicians. Proposals such as a solidarity minimum pension of1,250 eurosAccording to experts, they are considered urgently necessary in order to achieve a fundamental improvement in the financial situation of many seniors. The number of basic security recipients has increased since 201539 percentincreased, a trend that represents a major challenge not only in Germany but also in many other countries.

At the moment there is a great responsibility on the shoulders of politicians not only to combat increasing poverty in old age, but also to ensure that the principle of solidarity is preserved for future generations.