17.12.2025 14:21
Eyes are on the second meeting scheduled for tomorrow regarding the minimum wage. Türk-İş, which did not attend the first meeting, reacted to the words of the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, who said, "We are in open communication with all unions." Vice President Ramazan Ağar stated, "We presented our reasons for not attending to them before the first meeting. We are not at the table. No one has consulted with us."
The eyes of 7 million direct employees and the general public are turned to the second meeting of the commission to be held tomorrow regarding the minimum wage.
MINISTER IŞIKHAN: WE ARE IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH UNIONS While the absence of Türk-İş at the first meeting caused a historical upheaval, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated after the development, "We have an open communication structure with all unions. We will carry out all processes as required by social dialogue. I will meet with the unions and gather their opinions; we will definitely consult with them."
RESPONSE TO TÜRK-İŞ'S "WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PARTIES" STATEMENT Türk-İş Vice President Ramazan Ağar reacted to Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan's statement, "We are in discussions with the parties," in an evaluation he made to CNBC-e.
"WE WILL NOT ATTEND THE COMMISSION MEETING" Ağar stated, "We presented our reasons for not attending before the first meeting. We are not at the table. No one has consulted with us." He said they are on the same point and that they will not attend the commission meetings.
WHAT HAPPENED? In the first meeting hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, representatives of workers, employers, and the government came together, while Türk-İş was not present at the table.
A FIRST IN THE COMMISSION The absence of Türk-İş at the Minimum Wage Determination Commission meeting is recorded as a first, and Türk-İş Deputy General President Ramazan Ağar explained the reasons for the decision in a press conference held in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
"THE STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION DOES NOT CONSIDER WORKERS" Ağar stated, "Today is the first meeting day. Just like in the past, we were invited to the meeting today. We had stated that we would not attend if there was no change in the commission. Türk-İş has represented workers since 1974. However, the structure of the commission is determined by the votes of government and employer representatives without considering workers. Türk-İş announced on December 24, 2024, that it would not participate in the commission's activities. The increases in electricity, natural gas, and water are increasing this pressure. Workers and their families have to struggle with the prices that come one after another, especially in terms of essential consumption," he said.
Türk-İş Deputy General President Ramazan Ağar.
"THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IS INCREASING" Continuing his words, Ağar stated, "The gap between the rich and the poor is increasingly widening. Some are struggling to meet their basic needs." He added, "The losses caused by the successive high price increases must be fully compensated. An additional increase is necessary for the wealth created by economic growth to reflect on workers. If the current trend continues, there will be a situation where the qualified workforce will be trapped in the minimum wage along with the disruption of labor peace."
"CHILD LABOR CONTINUES" The statements that if the minimum wage increases, inflation will also rise are not correct. Linking inflation solely to the increase in the minimum wage means ignoring the structural and multidimensional nature of economic problems. Claims that it will reduce employment are also incorrect. In a place where there is no union organization, a worker continues to do the work of 2-3 workers. Child labor also continues. The child workers who died in the fire in Gebze are the most tragic indicator of this situation," he stated.
A LETTER WAS GIVEN TO MINISTER IŞIKHAN BEFORE THE MEETING In a letter given to Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan before the commission meeting by Türk-İş, it was stated that they would not participate in the minimum wage studies due to the failure to change the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. The financial demands were summarized as follows: "Since last year's inflation was 44.38%, a 30% increase was made, so the unaddressed 14.38% inflation loss must be fully compensated. The losses caused by the continuous price increases in essential goods (food, rent, education, transportation, and bill items) must be fully compensated. An additional increase should be made to ensure that the wealth created by the growth of the Turkish economy, the increase in Gross National Product, and the rise in per capita income is reflected to the workers."