10.06.2026 17:41
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan criticized the lack of an interim raise for the minimum wage, stating, "Minimum wage workers have the right to an interim raise on July 1. Not providing an interim raise is a rights violation." Commenting on economic and foreign borrowing policies, Babacan argued that a potential swap agreement with the US could pose risks to Turkey's independence.
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan criticized economic policies in his speech at the New Path Party's group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, stating that an interim raise for the minimum wage is the right of workers. Babacan noted that failing to provide an interim raise would lead to loss of rights.
In his speech, Babacan evaluated the economic management and drew attention to claims in an international news agency that the US might open a swap line to Turkey before the elections.
Babacan addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Treasury and Finance Ministry administration, saying that whether such an initiative exists should be explained.
"BORROWING FROM THE US IS A MATTER OF INDEPENDENCE"
Evaluating the potential consequences of a possible swap agreement, Babacan recalled that Turkey had fully paid off its debts to the IMF in the past.
Stating that he served in the management of the economy for 11 years, Babacan noted that they reduced Turkey's $23.5 billion debt to the IMF to zero and said:
"It is an institution where we are also partners and have a say on the board. But if you borrow from the US through a swap—provided by the US Central Bank and Treasury—then you stand with your head bowed before that country. I want to remind Mr. Erdogan of his own words: 'He who borrows today takes orders tomorrow.' The US has never opened this swap line to any country for free. There is always a commercial or political interest. If you have such an idea, forget it immediately. God forbid, this is a matter of this country's independence, a matter of Turkey's sovereignty. The one who gives that loan today will influence your foreign policy tomorrow."
"MINIMUM WAGE WORKER MUST RECEIVE INTERIM RAISE"
Babacan also touched on the Turkish Statistical Institute's inflation data, arguing that the purchasing power of the minimum wage is rapidly eroding due to high inflation.
Stating that the minimum wage set at 28,000 lira at the beginning of the year will significantly lose value by the end of June, Babacan said that interim raises applied in previous years aimed to compensate for workers' losses.
Babacan expressed the following:
"The minimum wage of 28,000 lira determined at the beginning of the year will have eroded by 20% by the end of June. For years, interim raises were given to the minimum wage on July 1 in this country because it is the worker's right. Waiting until the end of the year takes too long, and the erosion of the minimum wage due to inflation in the first 6 months was compensated. For the first time, they skipped it on July 1 last year, and this year they are not even mentioning an interim raise."
"NOT GIVING AN INTERIM RAISE IS A VIOLATION OF RIGHTS"
Arguing that the government must take action on the interim raise, Babacan continued his statement with the following words:
"Inflation is not the fault of the minimum wage earner; those governing this country have created inflation. It is the right of the minimum wage earner to receive an interim raise on July 1. Not giving an interim raise is a usurpation of rights, not giving an interim raise is a violation of people's rights."