17.12.2025 23:55
The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, announced that they came together with representatives of workers and employers within the framework of social dialogue during the process of determining the minimum wage for 2026. Speaking at the budget discussions of his ministry in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Işıkhan stated, "Our goal is to set a minimum wage that will not let our employees' incomes be eroded by inflation."
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated that the Minimum Wage Determination Commission started its work last week to determine the minimum wage that will be valid in 2026. Işıkhan emphasized that they are actively continuing the social dialogue process by holding meetings with representatives of workers and employers, saying, "As in every year, our goal this year is to set a minimum wage that will not let our employees' incomes be eroded by inflation. At the same time, we will adopt an approach that will protect employment and consider macroeconomic balances."
The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Bekir Bozdağ to discuss the budgets of the Presidency and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for the year 2026. After the evaluations of political party representatives, Minister Vedat Işıkhan made a presentation.
CHANGES IN WORKING LIFE AND THE FUTURE
Minister Işıkhan stated that working life is rapidly changing due to technological developments and global uncertainties, saying, "The speed of technological development, the climate crisis, and the interdependence of global economies are the biggest parts of a wave that fundamentally transforms labor markets. Digitalization, artificial intelligence, green transformation, and new generation working models now directly affect every employee and employer. As the nature of work changes, the need for social protection, especially for vulnerable groups, is increasing, and employment security has become a topic of discussion more loudly."
QUICK INTERVENTION IN THE EARTHQUAKE REGION
Işıkhan explained that the ministry acted quickly after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6-7, saying, "We mobilized all our resources to protect employers, employees, and their families in the region. We quickly implemented mechanisms such as short-time work allowance, cash wage support, community benefit programs, and unemployment benefits. The expenditure made in this context exceeded 40 billion lira. The number of insured employees in 11 cities after the earthquake had almost halved, but today we have managed to exceed pre-earthquake levels."
FINANCIAL STRENGTHENING OF SGK AND EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVES
Addressing the inclusiveness and financial sustainability of the social security system, Işıkhan shared the following information:
In 2002, the ratio of SGK revenues to expenditures was 71.5%, while it is expected to reach 95.3% by the end of 2025.
The ratio of premium revenues covering retirement pensions and health expenditures increased from 60.9% to 75.1%.
The ratio of SGK deficit to national income decreased from 2.2% to 0.42%.
The number of active insured individuals, which was 12 million in 2002, increased to 26.5 million as of September 2025.
The informal employment rate decreased from 52% to 26.9%.
During the 2023-2025 period, a total of 890 billion lira in incentives was provided for approximately 2 million workplaces and 13 million 222 thousand insured individuals.
NEW REGULATIONS IN HEALTH AND REIMBURSEMENT OPTIONS
Minister Işıkhan also conveyed the regulations made in the health sector:
As of September 2025, the state covered the debts of 5.7 million individuals under the General Health Insurance.
The number of drugs included in the reimbursement list increased from 3,986 to 8,877, of which 56 are special drugs used in cancer treatment.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices for children with Type 1 diabetes were included in the reimbursement scope; over 76,000 prescriptions were covered in the period from December 2024 to September 2025, with approximately 610 million lira paid by SGK.
2026 MINIMUM WAGE AND TAX SUPPORTS
Minister Işıkhan provided information regarding the minimum wage and tax supports. Işıkhan stated that they will not let employees be eroded by inflation and that the social dialogue process continues with representatives of workers and employers.
Stating that the goal is to determine the minimum wage for 2026 in a way that will not erode employees' incomes due to inflation, Minister Işıkhan noted that in the first 9 months of 2025, 46.8 billion lira in support was provided to 1.5 million workplaces under the minimum wage support, and that a total of 1 trillion 92 billion lira in tax concessions will be granted in 2026.
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
Işıkhan summarized the work done in the field of occupational health and safety as follows:
The number of workplaces receiving occupational health and safety services increased from 166,000 to 782,000.
The number of employees receiving occupational health and safety services increased from 6.4 million to 11.2 million.
As of December 2025, guidance and inspection were conducted in 10,957 workplaces; over 1 million 328 thousand employees were reached.
Approximately 992 million lira in unpaid wages was paid to workers, protecting their rights.
It was emphasized that no concessions were made when it comes to the rights and labor of workers during inspection processes.