13.12.2025 09:10
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission convened without worker representatives due to Türk-İş's decision to not participate. Türk-İş submitted its demands to the Ministry in a sealed envelope, calculating that if these demands were met, the minimum wage should be raised to 39,525 lira.
The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (Türk-İş) did not participate in the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, implementing a decision made a year ago. Thus, the commission held its first meeting without the worker representatives, with the participation of employer representatives and government bureaucrats. The second meeting of the commission is planned to be held on December 18.
DEMANDS SUBMITTED IN A SEALED ENVELOPE TO THE MINISTRY
Just minutes before the meeting, Türk-İş conveyed its demands to the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, in a sealed envelope. The letter presented by Türk-İş Vice President Ramazan Ağar did not contain any numerical expression regarding the wage increase rate or the requested minimum wage.
THE CALCULATION OF 39,525 LIRA DREW ATTENTION
According to information obtained by Sözcü, if the demands submitted by Türk-İş to the Ministry are met, the net minimum wage needs to increase by 78.8% to reach 39,525 lira. Türk-İş used the same calculation method last year and announced its demand as 29,583 lira. Accordingly, the confederation's net minimum wage demand has increased by 33.6% over the past year.
EMPHASIS ON INFLATION LOSS AND COST OF LIVING
The letter highlighted many issues in working life, from minimum wage earners to retirees. Türk-İş primarily requested compensation for the unaddressed inflation loss of 14.38% from last year in the minimum wage. Following this, it was demanded that the high price increases in food, transportation, rent, and education be reflected in wages. It was also emphasized that workers should share in the increase in prosperity created by economic growth.
SECOND MEETING ON DECEMBER 18
The second meeting of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission will be held on Thursday, December 18, at 14:00. It remains uncertain whether the worker side will participate in the commission.
ERDOĞAN CALLED ON EMPLOYERS
During TİSK's 29th Ordinary General Assembly the other day, President Erdoğan addressed employers, urging them to "put their hands under the stone," stating, "Every positive step you take towards our worker brothers will return as productivity, profit, and abundance. I always say; there are no pockets in the shroud. It is essential for us that the relationship between workers and employers is fair. When this relationship is not established on a healthy ground, the path to exploitation and injustice will open before us. The relationships between workers and employers are based on rights and justice. A system where no one is victimized is our priority."
HERE ARE THE SCENARIOS ON THE TABLE FOR WAGE INCREASES
Before the meeting, different scenarios for minimum wage increases for 2026 are also on the table.
Accordingly:
- If a 25% increase is made, the net minimum wage is projected to be 27,630 lira.
- In the scenario of a 27% increase, the net wage is expected to rise to 28,072 lira.
- In the case of a 29% increase, the net minimum wage is calculated to be 28,515 lira.
- If a 31% increase is applied, the net wage is estimated to reach 28,957 lira.
- In the scenario of a 32% increase, the net minimum wage is projected to reach 29,178 lira.
- If a 33% increase is made, the net minimum wage is expected to be 29,399 lira.