Erdogan Announces Minimum Wage Hike, Pension and Civil Service Raises at Istanbul Rally
President Erdogan, ahead of the May 14 elections, held a meeting with citizens in Istanbul where he announced major changes to salary arrangements that would concern millions of people. Erdogan spoke about the importance of building infrastructure in Turkey, focusing on education, health, justice, and safety, along with transportation, agriculture, and diplomacy. He said that Turkey will obtain more than $100 billion in resources only through work in the energy and defense fields.
Erdogan went on to say that the minimum wages of retirees have been increased from 66 liras to 7 thousand 500 liras and that a regulation on pensions above 7 thousand 500 liras will be made after the election. The minimum wage has also been increased to 7 thousand 500 lira, which is three and a half times higher than before. Erdogan also announced that in July, civil servants’ salaries would see an increase in both the inflation gap and the welfare share.
The President emphasized that many regulations have already been implemented in this direction, and he would announce the results of negotiations held by the minister with unions. He believes that workers will enter the next period with new hope and enthusiasm.
Erdogan’s meeting with citizens in Istanbul was attended by record numbers of people – over 1.7 million people attended the event – and shows the President’s continued popularity among the Turkish public. With the new salary arrangements and other improvements, Erdogan hopes to win even more support in the upcoming elections and continue his work in developing the country further.
