14.01.2026 20:51
Rising costs and chronic staff shortages have brought the centuries-old bath tradition to the brink of a fundamental change. Nafi Karaca, the President of the Izmir Bathkeepers and Bathers Tradesmen's Chamber, pointed out the issues of water fees and finding staff, stating that in the future, robots may replace attendants in baths.
Rising costs, increasing water fees, and an ever-deepening personnel crisis have brought the centuries-old bath culture to the brink of a new transformation. Nafi Karaca, the President of the İzmir Bathkeepers and Bathers Tradesmen Chamber, stated in his remarks about the future of the bath sector that robots could replace bath attendants. Karaca's statement has also sparked discussions on how the traditional understanding of baths will evolve with technology.
CENTURIES-OLD CULTURE, NEW PROBLEMS
The bath culture, which has spread to the world with the identity of "Turkish Bath" and extends from the Ottoman era to the present day, continues to be an important part of social life, not just cleanliness, with rituals such as bridal baths, postpartum baths, and soldier farewells. However, the sector is currently facing serious structural problems. Nafi Karaca, speaking to Son Mühür, pointed out both economic pressures and labor shortages.
"NOT A LACK OF WATER, BUT A WATER FEE ISSUE"
Karaca expressed the view that the water crisis in İzmir is exaggerated, emphasizing that the real problem is the high water prices. Reminding that the filling rates of the Tahtalı Dam have increased, Karaca stated:
"Right now, there is no major water shortage in İzmir. The dams have started to fill up with the rain. Without water, there is no cleanliness, there is no bath. However, the main problem is the high cost of water. We buy water by the kilogram and give it away without charge."
Karaca argued that a tonnage-based discount should be applied to water prices, stating that this would both relieve tradesmen and encourage water conservation.
PERSONNEL CRISIS DEEPENS
Karaca pointed out that one of the biggest problems in the sector is finding staff, drawing a striking comparison between the past and the present: "In the past, 10 people used to work in a bath, now we can barely find even one employee. The bath culture continues, people still want to come to the bath, but there are no people to work."
"IF WE CAN'T FIND STAFF, WE'LL FIND ROBOTS"
In the most striking part of his statements, Karaca said that technological solutions may be inevitable. Indicating that robot attendants could take on roles in baths in the future, Karaca stated: "If we can't find staff, we'll find robots. They are also available. We will see them coming to İzmir. Big companies will probably bring robots. What will they do if they can't find staff? People will be washed by robots now."