21.10.2026 14:14
As discussions continue regarding the 2027 minimum wage increase, a striking statement came from DSP Chairman Önder Aksakal. Reminding that the government has set its inflation expectation at 21 percent, Aksakal demanded that the minimum wage increase be set at 45 percent based on the increase rate of interest payments in the budget.
Önder Aksakal, Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), evaluated the 2027 budget and minimum wage expectations at a press conference held at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Drawing attention to the fact that the inflation forecast in the budget is projected at 21 percent, Aksakal called for the minimum wage to be increased by 45 percent, not based on this rate, but by taking into account the increase in interest payments.
CALL FOR A 45 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE
Aksakal, who made assessments regarding the 2027 Central Government Budget Law Proposal, criticized the difference between the government's inflation expectation and the resources allocated to interest in the budget.
Calling for the rate of increase in interest payments in the budget to be taken as the basis for the minimum wage increase, Aksakal used the following statements:
“Even the figures projected above show the inconsistencies between the 2027 inflation forecast of the finance and financial authorities at the top of the state and the budget they themselves prepared. Here, I am announcing our party's first proposal: make the minimum wage increase that will be determined at the beginning of 2027 not based on the expected inflation rate, but on the interest payment increase rate in your own budget projection, at 45 percent. The lion's share of the announced budget has already been allocated to interest. Therefore, the burden has again been placed on the people's shoulders through the amount of taxes to be increased.”
Aksakal's statement constitutes a political party proposal regarding the 2027 minimum wage increase. No decision has yet been made regarding the rate of increase to be applied to the minimum wage.
CRITICISM OF THE FUND REGULATION
At the press conference, Aksakal also touched upon the Law Proposal on Certain Investment Funds Decided to Be Liquidated and argued that there were shortcomings in the regulation.
Stating that the losses of individual investors who invest by trusting capital markets and the state's oversight mechanisms should also be secured, Aksakal requested that the proposal be reevaluated in this respect.
LOANS OF EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED TRADESPEOPLE SHOULD BE CONVERTED INTO GRANTS
Stating that the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 also severely affected economic and commercial life in the region, Aksakal said that earthquake-affected tradespeople had not been able to recover sufficiently economically despite more than three years having passed.
Expressing that the repayable supports provided through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration (KOSGEB) after the earthquake initially contributed to businesses, Aksakal stated that the repayment period created a new financial burden on tradespeople.
Aksakal made the following call to the government:
“Our first and priority demand is that the repayable supports provided to earthquake-affected businesses through KOSGEB with World Bank financing be converted into grants by making the necessary legal and financial arrangements.”
CALL FOR 24-MONTH INTEREST-FREE DEFERRAL FOR LOANS
Offering an alternative solution in the event that converting KOSGEB supports into grants is not possible, Aksakal requested that repayment obligations be deferred interest-free for at least 24 months.
Aksakal also stated that, if any, enforcement and foreclosure proceedings against earthquake-affected businesses experiencing payment difficulties should be halted during this process.
DREW ATTENTION TO CONSTRUCTION IN STREAM BEDS
At the beginning of his speech, Aksakal, who wished God's mercy upon those who lost their lives in flood disasters caused by excessive rainfall, patience to their families, and urgent healing to the injured, also touched upon construction problems in disaster areas.
Calling for the immediate identification of all buildings constructed in violation of specifications and zoning legislation, especially those located in stream beds, Aksakal called for these structures to be included in urban transformation planning.