Citizens' minimum expectation for the minimum wage is 25 thousand lira.

Millions of people trying to make ends meet with the eroding minimum wage in the face of the economic crisis and rising cost of living are waiting for the rate of increase to be announced at the beginning of 2025. Citizens stated that "the minimum wage should be at least 25 thousand lira."

As 2025 approaches, the amount of the minimum wage increase is a matter of curiosity for millions of workers. It is being debated whether the minimum wage increase, which was raised to 17 thousand lira last year and did not receive an interim increase in July, will be based on the year-end inflation or the target inflation.

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Central Bank President Fatih Karahan had stated that an increase of around 25% would be consistent with the inflation outlook. If a 25% increase is made according to Karahan's statements, the minimum wage will be 21 thousand 250 lira.

On the other hand, if it is increased according to the year-end inflation target of 41.5% projected in the Medium-Term Program (OVP), the minimum wage will be 24 thousand 57 lira. If a raise of 17.5%, which is the inflation target for 2025 in the OVP, is applied, it will be 19 thousand 975 lira.

Citizens expressed that the current minimum wage of 17 thousand lira is insufficient and shared their expectations. Citizens said the following regarding the minimum wage increase:

"It should be at least 25 thousand TL, I am alone and I cannot make ends meet. It should be 25 thousand TL so that at least we can eat a piece of chicken."

"The minimum wage should not be below 25 thousand right now. Because no one can make ends meet below that. Because today, rent is 15 thousand, 16 thousand, 17 thousand, 20 thousand TL. 25 thousand is also low, but I say it should be at least that. Normally, it should not be below 30 thousand."

"What is 17 thousand TL? It should be 30 thousand. Because the minimum wage has surpassed one rent, how will it work? And then they say it's good. A person pays 18 thousand lira rent, and the minimum wage is 17 thousand 500 lira. What will he eat, what will he drink? At least it should be 30 thousand."

"I think the minimum wage will be 26 thousand or 27 thousand TL."

"The minimum wage should be at least 35 thousand. Anything less won't suffice. 'I am living on 17 thousand or 20 thousand' is a lie."

"Honestly, I think the minimum wage should not be below 25 thousand lira right now. It should be a net 25 thousand lira. Because I can barely manage. Because a tomato has become incredibly expensive, a potato has become incredibly expensive. What can a person eat or drink? The salary is clear, 17 thousand lira. Definitely, anything below 25 thousand won't suffice."