02.12.2025 12:10
The minimum wage marathon for 2026 is starting. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated that the Minimum Wage Determination Commission will meet soon, saying, "Workers, employers, and the government must be at the table." TÜRK-İŞ, which announced that it will not participate in the commission this year, responded to the issue with the statement, "First, they should write a letter, and we will talk with our friends again."
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made statements regarding the process of determining the minimum wage increase for 2026. Işıkhan said, "We want to see all three parties at the table."
After the Presidential Cabinet meeting, Minister Vedat Işıkhan answered journalists' questions about the agenda. When asked when the first meeting regarding the minimum wage would be held, Işıkhan stated, "God willing, we will start the minimum wage negotiations soon. Of course, as you know, it is not us as the government who determines the minimum wage, but our Minimum Wage Determination Commission. The commission will hopefully meet soon and start its work," he said.
"WE WILL SEND OUR OFFICIAL LETTER TO ALL PARTIES"
Recalling the claim that the worker side would not participate in the negotiations, Işıkhan noted:
"The Minimum Wage Determination Commission is one of the most important mechanisms of social dialogue. We want to see all parties at the table. We will send our official letter to all parties, including employer and worker confederations, regarding the Minimum Wage Determination Commission soon. We want to see all three parties at the table."
"WE CANNOT LEAVE MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS WITHOUT SUPPORT"
On the other hand, the TÜRK-İŞ Board of Presidents met today at 10:00 in Ankara. After the meeting, TÜRK-İŞ General President Ergün Atalay made the following statements:
"We do not have the luxury of leaving minimum wage earners without support. Solutions need to be found for their problems. The amount given last year is clear. There is a 14% receivable from last year for minimum wage earners. If the third TURKSTAT conducts a research, it will show the insecurity.
"LET THE OFFICIAL LETTER COME, THEN WE WILL ACT ACCORDINGLY"
First, let them write the letter, we will talk again with the friends. There is no point in discussing this issue without an official letter or decree. It is not possible to live on this money. Even if there is a formula proposed by the Minister of Labor, it will be what the government says. Is it a step? Is it sufficient? It is not fair. Let the official letter come, then we will act accordingly."