Monthly Net Minimum Wage Set at 37,818 TL- BRTK
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission has announced the first minimum wage of the year, setting it at 43 thousand 469 TL monthly gross and 37 thousand 818 TL net.
Chairman of the Commission, Tahir Serhat, revealed that the minimum wage saw a 7.5 percent increase and was approved by majority vote, despite opposition from worker representatives.
According to the figures provided, the minimum wage translates to 250.78 TL per hour, 2 thousand 6.26 TL per day, and 10 thousand 31.30 TL per week.
President of the Federation of Free Trade Unions (Hür-İş), Ahmet Serdaroğlu, representing the workers’ side, criticized the determined figure, stating that it falls below the cost of living. He called on the President and Prime Minister to address the issue, accusing them of condemning minimum wage earners to poverty.
Serdaroğlu also emphasized the urgent need for unionization in the private sector and criticized the appointment of Ministry Undersecretary Tahir Serhat as Chairman of the Commission, questioning the motives behind the decision.
Allegations were made by Serdaroğlu that the minimum wage was determined through agreements with the capital sector and the Prime Minister, hastily decided in a short two-hour meeting. He called attention to the difficulties faced by those earning minimum wage and questioned the feasibility of living on such a wage.
The controversy surrounding the minimum wage determination has sparked debate and calls for action from various stakeholders in the labor sector. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the criticism and demands for fairer wages for workers.
