"Has the minimum wage increased in dollar terms?"

The new minimum wage has been finalized. The commission met last night with a surprise decision. While the worker delegation did not attend the TÜRK-İŞ meeting, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made the announcement that millions have been eagerly waiting for. The minimum wage for 2025 has been set at 22,104 lira with a 30% increase.

TÜRK-İŞ REQUESTED 29,583 TL

TÜRK-İŞ recently requested that the minimum wage be set at 29,583 TL by adding a 20% inflation adjustment to a 45% increase demand. The increase that was made fell short of expectations.

ERDOĞAN ALSO MADE A STATEMENT

President Erdoğan shared, "The minimum wage in 2025 will be applied as a net 22,104 TL with a 30% increase. May it be beneficial for our country and nation," immediately after the minimum wage was announced. Following this, the question of whether Erdoğan would make any adjustments was also put to rest.

DID THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN DOLLAR TERMS?

So, how much is the 2025 minimum wage in dollar terms? On January 1, 2024, the dollar exchange rate was 29.51 lira. At that time, the minimum wage of 17,002 lira was equivalent to 576 dollars. Today, the dollar is 35.26 lira. The minimum wage of 22,102 lira is equivalent to 626 dollars at the current exchange rate. Thus, the minimum wage has also increased by 50 dollars in dollar terms.

Minimum wage/dollar calculations by year:

2018: 333 dollars

2019: 356 dollars

2020: 332 dollars

2021: 318 dollars

2022: 287 dollars – 302 dollars (An interim increase was made in July)

2023: 455 dollars – 482 dollars (An interim increase was made in July)

2024: 578 dollars