Minimum Wage Protesters Set $500 Target for Traffic Campaign
On Tuesday, June 13, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security hosted a meeting to discuss an interim increase in the minimum wage in Turkey, which concerns more than seven million employees. The Turk-Is delegation, representing workers, is expected to demand an increase of 25 percent or more, in order to achieve the target of 500 dollars for the minimum wage. Last year’s interim increase was seven percent. The increase rate that is considered reasonable by experts is between 30-35 percent.
Inflation and the cost of living for employees are at the top of the agenda for the worker’s representatives’ demands. The government’s minimum wage proposal has not yet been clarified, and employers’ demands are centered around tying any increase to inflation rates to maintain employment. Employers also oppose calculations made on the dollar exchange rate for the minimum wage.
The minimum wage determination commission, consisting of 15 people, including workers, employers, and government representatives, has to determine the minimum wage by a majority decision. Currently, the minimum wage is 10,008 liras gross and 8,506 liras net. Last year, the increase in the minimum wage was decided in a two-meeting process. This year, the interim hike is expected to be clarified quickly.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz expressed hope for a positive outcome from the negotiations, adding that the government’s basic principle would not be to oppress employees and segments of society vulnerable to inflation. Premium employer support will also be defined.
