18.08.2025 15:36
While the protests of civil servants who went on strike to protest the wage offer continue, Orhan Yıldırım, the President of the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (Birleşik Kamu-İş), placed bread in front of the Ministry of Labor. Yıldırım stated, "The piece of bread I have torn off represents the portion that is considered a right for all workers. Unfortunately, the piece I am placing in front of the Ministry of Labor today represents the share of Turkey's income that is allocated to employers and companies, which is 80%."
The salary, social rights, and working conditions negotiations of the 8th Term Collective Bargaining for public employees have entered a tense phase. Unions, which found the wage offers presented by the Public Employers Committee insufficient, went on strike for one day across Turkey today.
THE LAST OFFER WAS ALSO REJECTED
The wage offer presented by the Public Employers Committee foresaw a 10% increase in the first six months of 2026, a 6% increase in the second six months, and a 4% increase in both six-month periods of 2027. Additionally, the proposal for a 1,000 TL increase in the base salary was not accepted by the confederations during the second meeting.
THEY DECIDED TO STRIKE
In response, Memur-Sen, Kamu-Sen, Birleşik Kamu-İş, and KESK decided to hold a strike and organize protest activities on Monday, August 18, 2025 (today).
THEY LEFT BREAD IN FRONT OF THE MINISTRY
As part of the protests, the President of the United Public Workers Confederation, Orhan Yıldırım, went to the streets and left bread in front of the Ministry of Labor.
In a statement made in front of the ministry, Yıldırım said, "The piece of bread I have taken away represents the share that is considered a right for all workers. Unfortunately, the piece I will place in front of the Ministry of Labor is the share of 80% of Turkey's income that is allocated to the interest lobby, employers, and companies," he stated.
HERE ARE THE CONFEDERATIONS THAT DECIDED TO STRIKE
- Memur-Sen
- Turkey Kamu-Sen
- State Employees Confederation
- Birleşik Kamu-İş
- Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (KESK)
- Independent Confederation of Public Officials' Unions
- Çalışan Sen
- Confederation of Public Employees' Rights Unions
- YURT-Sen
- Engineer Tek-Sen Confederation
- Union of Public Employees Working in Military Workplaces (Asim-Sen)
EYES ON THE LAST MEETING
The meeting scheduled for August 19, following the unions' strike action, is of critical importance. In this meeting, either an agreement will be reached, or the process will be taken to the Arbitration Board.
WHAT DO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WANT?
As Memur-Sen, they are proposing a 10% welfare share in the first six months of 2026, an increase of 10,000 TL in the base salary, a 25% proportional increase, and a 20% proportional increase in the second six months. In the first six months of 2027, they demand an increase of 7,500 TL in the base salary, a 20% proportional increase, and a 15% increase in the second six months.