06.12.2025 14:56
HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan stated that the inflation basket prepared by TÜİK does not reflect the actual consumption patterns of minimum wage earners, emphasizing that the minimum wage should be determined based on essential expenses such as rent and food. Arslan also highlighted that the current commission structure cannot produce healthy results.
As the minimum wage negotiations approach, HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan stated that the calculations determined by TÜİK data do not reflect the real-life conditions of minimum wage earners. Arslan emphasized that the minimum wage should be determined based on essential expenditure items such as rent and food.
"TÜİK'S BASKET DOES NOT REFLECT MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS"
As the Minimum Wage Determination Commission meeting approaches, HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan made statements indicating that the system needs to change completely. Arslan pointed out that the TÜİK data used in the calculations are far from real needs, stating, "The ratios in TÜİK's basket are not proportional to the needs of minimum wage earners. Fifty percent of our consumption weight is rent and food. The minimum wage needs to be determined based on prices of essential consumer goods like these."
CALL FOR NEW CRITERIA IN MINIMUM WAGE CALCULATION
Arslan noted that the biggest burden in the fight against the cost of living for minimum wage earners is rent, food, transportation, and energy. Therefore, he stated that the model for determining wages also needs to change:
- Calculations should be made based on the real consumption structure of minimum wage earners, not on the TÜİK basket,
- It was expressed that the prices of basic needs should be a stronger criterion in determination.
COMMISSION STRUCTURE ALSO CRITICIZED
Arslan stated that it is not possible for the commission structure to produce a healthy result in its current state.
Among his suggestions were the following:
- The structure of the commission should change,
- Government representatives should not be present in the commission,
- The wage should be determined by workers and employers,
- The model in Germany should be taken as an example.
"A HEALTHY WAGE CANNOT COME FROM SUCH A COMMISSION"
Arslan emphasized that both the TÜİK basket and the commission structure do not reflect the real life of minimum wage earners, stating, "You cannot get a healthy minimum wage from this Minimum Wage Determination Commission."