25.04.2025 08:51
The collective bargaining negotiations concerning 600,000 public workers, which addressed topics such as seniority raises, welfare shares, and base wages, have been completed. While no figures have emerged yet in the wage negotiations, it has been stated that another meeting will be held. In the 21-item proposal package presented by the unions, a 50% increase is anticipated for the first six months.
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An important stage has been reached in the collective bargaining process covering approximately 600,000 workers in the public sector. The parties met for the third time yesterday to discuss their proposals. Representatives of the workers, including officials from Türk-İş and Hak-İş, gathered at 2:00 PM hosted by the Turkish Heavy Industry and Service Sector Public Employers' Union (TÜHİS), which represents the employers.
During the meeting under the framework protocol of the Public Collective Labor Agreements, the proposal package containing 21 articles previously submitted by the unions was reviewed once again. The meeting at the TÜHİS General Headquarters was attended by TÜHİS General Secretary Adnan Çiçek, TÜRK-İŞ Vice Presidents Ramazan Ağar, Eyüp Alemdar, and İrfan Kabaloğlu, HAK-İŞ Vice President Devlet Sert, and Deputy General Secretary Hamdi Abdullah Koçoğlu, along with other relevant parties. After the nearly two-hour closed meeting, the delegations of TÜRK-İŞ and HAK-İŞ made statements to the press together.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND SOCIAL RIGHTS DISCUSSED
TÜRK-İŞ Vice President Ramazan Ağar stated that the collective bargaining process is still ongoing, emphasizing that not only wage increases but also many other issues such as working conditions and social rights are being negotiated. Ağar mentioned that both TÜHİS and they will prepare a new proposal, indicating that the third meeting will take place after May 1, although the exact date has not yet been finalized.
Pointing out that the completion of negotiations may take time, Ağar said, "We are discussing the working conditions, living standards, job order, social rights, and a wage that allows 600,000 public workers to live with dignity. However, we have not yet received a counter-offer in response to our proposal, which indicates that the process may be prolonged," he added.
TÜRK-İŞ: OUR WISH IS A SOLUTION AT THE TABLE
Ağar stated that the public collective bargaining negotiations, which have been completed with the best results for the workers, are discussions that end at the table, and they will not hesitate to use their power from production if necessary. Ağar expressed, "Our wish is for the public collective labor agreements to be concluded through negotiations at the table. We desire this matter to be resolved as soon as possible at the table, considering the working conditions and the difficulties faced by the employees." In response to the question, "Do you expect TÜHİS to bring a proposal to the table in the third meeting?" Ağar replied, "They said they would work on it. They told us they would bring that work to us. A wage will definitely come to us. Of course, we will negotiate again on that wage."
HAK-İŞ Vice President Devlet Sert stated that TÜHİS did not present any proposal during the meeting, saying, "We will meet again, and proposals will be put on the table. We will plan in a way that protects the rights and interests of the employees without letting them be crushed by inflation, by evaluating different alternatives."
Here is a brief and clear summary of the 21-article proposal package presented by the unions;
Contract Start Date
The effective date of the collective labor agreements will be determined by the parties.
Minimum Wage
Daily gross wages will be at least 1,800 TL. Scale differences will be preserved, and there will be at least a 1 TL difference.
Seniority Increase
A seniority increase of net 15 TL/day will be made for each year of service. This increase will be reflected in all wage items.
Wage Increases
1st year 1st six months: 50% increase
1st year 2nd six months: 25% increase + inflation difference + 10% welfare share
2nd year 1st six months: 25% increase + inflation difference + 10% welfare share
2nd year 2nd six months: 25% increase + inflation difference + 10% welfare share + inflation difference for the following month
Contract Duration and Additional Payments
Bonuses will be increased to 112 days, and social assistance will be increased. Additional payments will be made in April and October.
Working Hours
General working hours are 40 hours per week, 5 days
For maritime workers, 45 hours, 6 days
Actual Work Payments
Payments based on actual work will be regularized and made monthly.
Overtime
For every hour exceeding 40 hours, a 100% increase
On holidays and vacations, hours exceeding normal time will be paid at a 200% increase
For maritime workers, overtime will be paid at a 70% increase
Severance Pay
Severance pay equivalent to 35 days' wages will be paid for each full year. If the current application is higher, it will be preserved.
Workplace-Specific Issues
Scale differences, risk premiums, production bonuses, and similar issues will be discussed separately at the workplace level.
Workplace Transition Rights
Public workers will have rights based on their previous years of service in the institutions they transition to.
Subcontracted Workers
Including public enterprises, subcontracted workers will be transferred to permanent staff.
Additional Instructors
Additional instructors in health and education will be taken into permanent staff.
Temporary and Seasonal Workers
Working periods will be extended up to 11 months and 29 days. Vacant positions will be filled with these workers.
Victims of Decree Law No. 696
Disputes over titles, workplace changes, and similar personal rights will be regulated, and SGK occupational codes will be aligned with actual jobs.
Authority Disputes
In these workplaces, wage increases and social assistance will be applied to workers, and differences will be offset.
Income Tax
The portion of income tax exceeding 15% will be covered by the employer.
Social Assistance
Assistance for meals, clothing, family, children, birth, death, travel, natural disasters, and support for veterans and martyrs' relatives will be increased.
Hazardous Work Premium
Less hazardous: 10%
Hazardous: 15%
Very hazardous: 20%
Premiums will be paid at these rates of the gross wage.
Additional Payments
Many new regulations will be introduced, such as shift bonuses, holiday assistance, rent assistance, education assistance, technical compensation, and communication support.
Job Definition and Compliance
The occupational codes reported to SGK for the work done by the worker will be aligned.
No Figures Came Out in Wage Negotiation
The meeting for the wage negotiation of public workers has ended, and no figures have been released yet. TÜRK-İŞ Vice President Ağar stated that the process is ongoing, emphasizing that in these meetings, not only wage increases but also other issues such as working conditions and social rights are being negotiated.
Ağar mentioned that TÜHİS and they will conduct another study, indicating that the next meeting will be after May 1, but the date has not been finalized.
HAK-İŞ Vice President Devlet Sert also stated that TÜHİS did not present any proposal today, saying, "We will meet again, proposals will be evaluated, and we will plan in a way that protects the rights and interests of the employees without letting them be crushed by inflation, by presenting different alternatives."
A New Meeting Schedule Will Be Determined
In yesterday's meeting, not only the articles were discussed. All eyes are on the meeting to be held after May 1. However, the date has not been finalized.
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