27.10.2025 09:42
The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, made statements to journalists regarding the minimum wage process that will begin in December. Işıkhan stated, "The Minimum Wage Determination Commission consists of representatives from the public, workers, and employers. These members make a joint decision by considering the country's economic conditions, inflation, and living standards. As a government, we are ensuring that dialogue is strengthened."
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Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, who made a statement to journalists in Mardin, made important evaluations regarding youth employment, the social security system, and employment policies. Işıkhan also made critical statements regarding the ongoing minimum wage marathon.
While millions of workers are eagerly following how much the new minimum wage will be, the Tripartite Advisory Board, consisting of representatives from workers, employers, and the government, recently convened to discuss the functioning of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission.
"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DETERMINE THE MINIMUM WAGE"
Speaking about the minimum wage determination process that will start in December, Minister Işıkhan drew attention to the structure of the commission:
"The minimum wage is not determined by the government, but by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. The commission includes five representatives from the public sector, the workers' side, and the employers' side. These members make a joint decision considering the country's economic conditions, inflation, and living standards. We attach great importance to social dialogue."
Referring to the statements of Türk-İş and Hak-İş regarding representation in the commission, Işıkhan said, "We are waiting for concrete proposals from the workers' side. We are in constant dialogue to ensure they express their demands clearly," he stated.
"AN EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE FOR NEET YOUTH IS COMING"
Minister Işıkhan also provided information about the ongoing efforts regarding youth employment. Stating that they have prepared special projects for the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) group, Işıkhan said, "We will launch a major employment initiative for this group in the upcoming period. Our goal is to integrate three million young people into the workforce within three years. This is one of our most important goals," he said.
"OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS A MODEL UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE WORLD"
Addressing the recent public discussions regarding pension payments, Işıkhan emphasized that Turkey's social security system is quite strong:
"99% of our citizens are under the social security umbrella. This system covers not only the individual but also their family. In the event of the insured person's death, payments are also made to the survivors. It is really difficult to find a system with such coverage in the world. No one should have concerns about our social security system."
THE WORKER SIDE HAD REACTED TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COMMISSION
TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay criticized the minimum wage figure for 2025 at a press conference held on December 25, 2024, stating, "Unfortunately, we have been in an unfair commission for 50 years. From this point on, unless a fair regulation is made, we, as TÜRK-İŞ, will not participate in the Minimum Wage Determination Commission again."
HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan also pointed out that the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission needs to change by October 27, 2025, regarding the process of determining the minimum wage that will be valid in 2026, saying, "We had another meeting with TÜRK-İŞ. They confirmed again that they would not participate. I reiterated that we would not participate either."
"32.2 MILLION OF OUR CITIZENS ARE EMPLOYED"
Evaluating employment and unemployment figures, Minister Işıkhan stated that new areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and green economy are taken into account in employment policies.
"As of today, 32.2 million of our citizens are employed. The number of retirees has approached 17 million. 11.4 million are under SSK, 2.9 million are under Bağ-Kur, and 2.5 million are under the Pension Fund. The number of workplaces has also reached 2.3 million," said Işıkhan, adding that they aim to increase the active-passive ratio to 2.
Stating that the service sector ranks first in employment with a rate of 57.9%, Işıkhan said, "Our goal is to reintegrate the idle workforce of working-age individuals back into the economy."
"NEW SUPPORT IS COMING FOR BUSINESSES THAT PROTECT EMPLOYMENT"
Minister Işıkhan also mentioned the premium support regulations, announcing that new incentives are on the way for firms that protect employment:
"We will provide support to firms that protect and increase employment. Our Ministry of Industry and Technology has provided 2,500 lira support to SMEs in the textile, ready-to-wear, leather, and furniture sectors. We will expand this support both in terms of sector and amount. We will increase the number of sectors in the manufacturing industry. Thus, we aim to keep unemployment in single digits while protecting production."
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