23.12.2025 14:20
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission will hold its third meeting today at 6:00 PM. In the evaluations for the minimum wage for 2026, a 25% increase rate (27,630 TL) is prominent. Experts state that this rate is the most realistic option that maintains the balance between workers and employers.
The process regarding the minimum wage for 2026, which millions of workers are eagerly awaiting, continues. The Minimum Wage Determination Commission is expected to hold its third meeting shortly, while discussions about the increase rate continue in the public domain.
WORKER SIDE NOT AT THE TABLE
The worker side did not participate in the first two meetings of the commission. However, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan visited the headquarters of Türk-İş and Hak-İş to directly gather the demands of the worker segment. Minister Işıkhan emphasized that the opinions received from labor unions would be conveyed to the commission members and that the principle of "not letting inflation erode" would be taken into account when determining the minimum wage.
INCREASE RATE MAY BE CLARIFIED IN THE THIRD MEETING
Economist Muhammed Bayram stated that he expects the Minimum Wage Determination Commission to meet for the third time this week, expressing that the increase rate could be announced before the fourth meeting. Bayram expressed an expectation of an increase in the minimum wage in the range of 28% to 32%.
NOTABLE INCREASE RATE: 25%
Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Develi, who made evaluations on CNN Türk, stated that although the worker side is not at the table, the demands are reflected to the commission through the Ministry. Develi noted that the process of combating inflation and the inflation expectations for the end of 2026 have been taken into account, stating that a 25% increase rate stands out. Develi said, "A 20% increase will not satisfy the worker side. The 30-35% range may negatively affect employment from the employer's perspective. Therefore, the rate that balances both sides stands out as 25%." It is stated that if this rate is accepted, the net minimum wage for 2026 could reach 27,630 TL.
A DECISION AFFECTING MILLIONS
Experts emphasize that the increase in the minimum wage directly affects not only minimum wage earners but also employees with salaries close to this level, severance pay, and many price items.
Here are all the scenarios regarding the minimum wage increase rate for 2026:
- 20%: If the 20% minimum wage increase scenario occurs, the net minimum wage will be 26,584 TL, and the gross will be 31,206 TL.
- 23%: In the scenario of a 23% increase, the net wage will be 27,188 TL, and the gross will be 31,986 TL.
- 25%: If the minimum wage increases by 25%, the net wage for 2026 will be 27,630 TL, and the gross will be 32,506 TL.
- 28%: If the minimum wage increase is 28%, the net wage for 2026 is expected to be 28,293 TL, and the gross wage is expected to be 33,287 TL.
- 28.5%: According to the published Medium-Term Program (MTP), the year-end inflation expectation for 2025 was announced as 28.5%. If this figure materializes, scenarios where the minimum wage is determined according to inflation also come to the forefront. If the minimum wage increase is 28.5%, the net wage for 2026 is expected to be 28,404 TL, and the gross wage is expected to be 33,417 TL.
- 30%: In a scenario where the minimum wage is increased by 30%, the net wage for 2026 is projected to be 28,735 TL, and the gross wage is expected to be 33,807 TL.
- 32.2%: If the minimum wage increase occurs in parallel with inflation expectations at 32.2%, the net wage for 2026 is expected to be 29,222 TL, and the gross wage is expected to be 34,379 TL.
- 35%: As a result of an agreement on a 35% increase, it is calculated that the net minimum wage for 2026 will be 29,841 TL, and the gross will be 35,107 TL.
- 40%: If there is a 40% increase, the net wage for 2026 will be 30,946 TL, and the gross wage will be 36,407 TL.