TESK President Palandöken: Insurance premiums linked to the minimum wage should be reduced.

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The President of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), Bendevi Palandöken, stated, "The insurance premiums that increase every year based on the minimum wage are breaking the backs of employers. The insurance premiums calculated over at least the gross minimum wage impose a significant burden on our tradesmen."

"LET THE INSURANCE PREMIUM BURDEN BE LIGHTENED"

TESK President Bendevi Palandöken made a statement regarding the annual increase in SGK premiums. Stating that the insurance premium burden on tradesmen and craftsmen needs to be alleviated, Palandöken noted: The insurance premiums for tradesmen and craftsmen are indeed very high. They are already unable to pay. The biggest problem is that it will increase from now on. As you know, social security premiums also increase every year along with the minimum wage. However, the lowest premium is around 6,500 TL, even though the lowest tier has been removed. Now, with the re-evaluation rate and the increase in the minimum wage, this premium will also increase in the same way. A 5% incentive was given to those who regularly pay these premiums, but that is being reduced to 4%. That is also a handicap. Therefore, it becomes difficult to pay on time for the incentive. It is very important for these SGK premiums to be at a lower level and affordable for tradesmen and craftsmen. In this regard, a standardization should be made for the retirement pensions of those under Bağ-Kur for both retirees and the working class.

"ANNUAL INCREASE IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS BREAKS THE BACKS OF EMPLOYERS"

Stating that the annually increasing SGK premiums are breaking the backs of employers, Palandöken continued his speech as follows: The insurance premiums that increase every year based on the minimum wage are breaking the backs of employers. The insurance premiums calculated over at least the gross minimum wage impose a significant burden on our tradesmen. With the increase in the minimum wage, the lowest insurance premium paid, including the employer's share, is 6,500 TL. Our tradesmen and craftsmen are having great difficulty paying these amounts. With both their own insurance premium and that of their employee, our tradesmen cannot straighten their backs. Urgently, a facilitation should be provided to our tradesmen in this regard, and the insurance burden on both employees and employers should be alleviated. If ease is provided to employers regarding insurance premiums, this will directly affect the economy and employment. If insurance premiums decrease, tradesmen will continue to employ their staff and will not hesitate to hire if they need additional personnel. Hiring new staff will support employment and reduce unemployment. As more people are employed, the income that SGK generates from insurance premiums will increase.