Türkiye's minimum wage negotiations for 2025 near conclusion

Türkiye is approaching the final stage of discussions to set the 2025 minimum wage, with the fourth and concluding meeting expected to take place this week, possibly on Dec. 26 (Thursday) or Dec. 27 (Friday).

Turkish labor and social security minister, Vedat Isikhan stated on Monday that the minimum wage for 2025 would be announced following this final meeting.

The process of making the final decision, which directly affects over 7 million workers and indirectly concerns the entire population, is underway.

The current minimum wage is a gross monthly rate of ₺20,00.50 ($567.95), equating to a net figure of ₺17,000 after deductions.

For employers, the total cost per worker is ₺23,502.94, which includes the gross minimum wage, a social security premium of ₺3,100.39, and an unemployment insurance contribution of ₺400.05.

Türkiye's annual inflation was recorded at 47.1%, TurkStat reported on Dec. 3.

TURK-IS demands 74% increase

TheConfederation of Turkish Trade Unions(TURK-IS), representing the workers' side, demanded a 45% inflation adjustment to the current net minimum wage of ₺17,002, along with a 20% welfare share increase after the last meeting.

"If they offer this, we will sign. Otherwise, we won't," TURK-IS Chairman Ergun Atalay stated during a press conference at the TURK-IS headquarters following the third round of discussions.

TÜRK-İŞ Genel Başkanı Ergün Atalay, Asgari Ücret Tespit Komisyonunun işçi heyetinde yer alan üyelerle TÜRK-İŞ Genel Merkezi'nde basın toplantısı düzenledi. ( Muhammed Abdullah Kurtar - Anadolu Ajansı )TÜRK-İŞ Genel Başkanı Ergün Atalay, Asgari Ücret Tespit Komisyonunun işçi heyetinde yer alan üyelerle TÜRK-İŞ Genel Merkezi'nde basın toplantısı düzenledi. ( Muhammed Abdullah Kurtar - Anadolu Ajansı )TURK-IS Chairman Ergun Atalay holds a press conference at the TURK-IS headquarters following the third round of discussions with members of the worker delegation on the Minimum Wage Determination Commission in Ankara, Türkiye, on Dec. 19, 2024. (AA Photo)

Following TURK-IS demand, attention has turned to the employers’ counterproposal, as reports suggest that employers are hesitant to agree to TURK-IS’s demand of ₺29,583.00, accounting for a 74% increase.

How is minimum wage determined?

The minimum wage in Türkiye is determined by a 15-member commission consisting of five representatives, each from workers, employers, and the government. Meetings are held in December on dates agreed upon by the commission.

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission, composed of representatives from workers, employers, and the government, holds its third meeting as part of efforts to set the minimum wage for 2025 in Ankara, Türkiye, on Dec. 19, 2024. (AA Photo)

Hosted by Türkiye's Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the commission held its first meeting on Dec. 10, followed by sessions on Dec. 16 and 19.

Chaired by a member appointed by the ministry, the commission requires the participation of at least 10 members to make decisions by majority vote.

In the case of a tie, the side of the chairperson is considered having the majority.

December 24, 2024 08:24 AM GMT+03:00