The critical meeting for the minimum wage has begun.

The process of determining the new minimum wage, which directly concerns 7 million employees and indirectly affects a large segment of society, is ongoing. The Minimum Wage Determination Commission, hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, held its first meeting on December 10 and convened for the second time today.

NEGOTIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN

This meeting, which is significant for determining the framework of negotiations, focuses on fundamental economic data. Representatives from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Trade, and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) will share economic data and reports with the commission. It is expected that the worker and employer sides, which have not yet mentioned any figures, will begin negotiations after the economic data and reports are presented.

“WE HOPE FOR A FAIR MINIMUM WAGE TO BE DETERMINED”

Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of Labor and Social Security who chaired the commission's first meeting on December 10, stated, "We hope to determine a fair minimum wage that considers the satisfaction of both the worker and employer sides by analyzing the economic and social conditions in detail, such as the protection and increase of employment."

Ramazan Ağar, the Deputy Chairman of TÜRK-İŞ, who leads the worker delegation in the commission, also stated that they will not take into account the actual or projected inflation rates in determining the new minimum wage, saying, "We expect a wage that will make people smile." Akansel Koç, the Secretary General of the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), who leads the employer delegation, noted that they view the minimum wage from both the employee and employer perspectives, stating, "We will manage the process with an approach that not only protects employers but also considers the purchasing power of our colleagues."

HOW IS THE MINIMUM WAGE DETERMINED?

The minimum wage is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which consists of 15 members, with five representatives each from workers, employers, and the government, as required by law. The commission meets on the dates determined in December as part of its work to establish the new minimum wage. Chaired by one of the members designated by the ministry, the commission makes decisions with the participation of at least 10 members and by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the majority is considered to be the side of the chairperson.

CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE IS NET 17,002 LIRA

The minimum wage is currently applied as a gross monthly wage of 20,002.50 lira for a worker, and after deductions, the net amount is 17,002.12 lira. The total cost of the minimum wage to the employer is 23,502.94 lira for one worker. Of this, 20,002.50 lira is the gross minimum wage, 3,100.39 lira is the social security premium, and 400.05 lira is the employer's unemployment insurance fund.