The final stretch has been reached in the minimum wage negotiations.

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission met for the third time today to determine the minimum wage that will be valid in 2025. No figures were discussed at the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Thus, the importance of the fourth meeting has increased even more.

TÜRK-İŞ: THE OFFER AND THE FIGURE WILL BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK

The first statement after the third meeting came from Türk-İş Vice President Ramazan Ağar. Ağar stated, "No figures were discussed at the meeting. Again, nothing was brought to the agenda in terms of figures during the commission meeting. We are the party requesting money, so let those who provide money and our government state a figure so that we can take our stance accordingly. We expect both a figure and results to come next week. Our hope is that they bring a wage that the public can accept," he said.

However, after this statement, as no offer came from the employers and the government, Türk-İş President Ergün Atalay appeared before the cameras at 16:00.

Ergün Atalay said: The process of determining the minimum wage is ongoing. There has been a question in the public for 20 days about why Türk-İş is not making a statement. However, the government and employers are not announcing any figures. By law, the union with the most members represents the workers. We met with the presidents of Hak-İş and Disk. We could have gathered this commission and announced a figure, but there would have been no agenda or anything else. This 20-day period has become a topic of discussion about why Türk-İş is not making a statement.

"THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS BECOME A LIVING WAGE"

"There is an undemocratic structure for the minimum wage. It is a structure that has remained since September 12. So far, three meetings have been held, and we have been waiting for a figure. We are at a point where 2024 has been a difficult year for all of us. Public sector workers are receiving wages at the minimum wage level. The minimum wage used to be a determining wage five years ago; now it has become a living wage."

OUR DEMAND IS 29,583 TL

In a survey conducted in Ankara with the participation of 150,000 people, we listened to the problems of workers. We made promises to them, and they explained firsthand how they could not make ends meet to the government and employer representatives in three meetings. The increase in rent, natural gas, and prices in the market, as well as the increase in education, is evident. Currently, the minimum wage has dropped to 11,000 lira. The minimum wage has become a living wage. There are figures of 50,000 lira, 30,000 lira, and 28,000 lira ahead of us. We know the situation of the public. We want a 45% increase plus a 20% share of prosperity for the minimum wage. Our demand is 29,583 TL."

WILL TÜRK-İŞ GET UP FROM THE TABLE AGAIN?

After Türk-İş's proposal, expectations regarding both the figure and the fourth meeting have risen in the public. No announcement has yet been made regarding when the fourth meeting will take place. If Türk-İş, which will represent the workers at the meeting, encounters an offer below 29,583 TL, it is expected that, as in previous years, they may get up from the table again.

WHEN WILL THE MINIMUM WAGE BE ANNOUNCED?

Accordingly, it is expected that the new minimum wage will be determined and shared with the public between December 23-27. According to the law, the Minimum Wage Determination Commission is required to determine and announce the increase rate by the end of December.

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 to work on determining the new minimum wage.

The commission, chaired by one of the members designated by the ministry, convenes with the participation of at least 10 members and makes decisions by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the majority is considered to be on the side of the president.

THE CURRENT NET MINIMUM WAGE IS 17,002 LIRA

The minimum wage is currently applied as a gross monthly wage of 20,002 lira and 50 kuruş for a worker, and net 17,002 lira and 12 kuruş after deductions. The total cost of the minimum wage to the employer is 23,502 lira and 94 kuruş for one worker. Of this, 20,002 lira and 50 kuruş is the gross minimum wage, 3,100 lira and 39 kuruş is the social security premium, and 400 lira and 5 kuruş is the employer's unemployment insurance fund.

POSSIBLE INCREASE RATES FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE

The net and gross figures that will result from the increase rates for the minimum wage are as follows:

With a 20% increase: 20,402 lira

With a 25% increase: 21,252 lira

With a 30% increase: 22,102 lira

With a 35% increase: 22,952 lira

With a 40% increase: 23,802 lira