Public Worker Raise Rate Announced by Erdogan
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a 45% salary increase for over 700,000 workers employed in public institutions and organisations, including hospitals, universities, power generation plants, and railways. The announcement came as part of the 2023 Public Collective Bargaining Agreement Framework Protocol, which also includes provisions for social benefits, personal and fringe benefits, and minimum wage increases. President Erdogan outlined his desire to make a fair assessment of the meetings while defending the interests of the country in his statement. The support provided to workers during the Covid-19 pandemic was also acknowledged. Vedat Bilgin, Turkey’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, spoke on the importance of a healthy democratic system in Turkey, while union leaders welcomed the collective bargaining agreement. The workers’ joint demand was for a gross base wage of 15,000 lira per month, with a 15% welfare share added.
