10.12.2024 07:10
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission, consisting of representatives from workers, employers, and the government, will hold its first meeting today at 4:00 PM as part of the efforts to determine the minimum wage that will be effective in 2025. While many institutions and organizations have expressed their expectations for a raise, all eyes are on TÜRK-İŞ's demand.
```html
The process of determining the new minimum wage, which directly concerns nearly 7 million employees and indirectly affects the entire society, will officially begin today. In the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the employer side will be represented by the Turkish Employers' Confederation (TİSK), while the worker side will be represented by TÜRK-İŞ, the confederation with the most members.
The employer delegation will be chaired by TİSK Secretary General Akansel Koç, while the worker delegation will be chaired by TÜRK-İŞ Vice President Ramazan Ağar. This year, the worker delegation led by Ağar will include chef Selma Sayın, hairdresser Nihan Koçak, subcontractor worker Durmuş Öztürk from the Highways, and press member Sezer Özseven.
ALL EYES ON TÜRK-İŞ'S DEMAND
While TÜRK-İŞ, representing the workers in the minimum wage negotiations, has not yet shared its demand for the new minimum wage with the public, the statement by General President Ergün Atalay regarding the increase in the minimum wage, indicating that the inflation experienced in 2024 and the expected inflation for 2025 are not acceptable, draws attention. TİSK, representing the employers, believes that the new minimum wage should be at a level that is balanced and preserves employment and competitiveness.
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN'S MESSAGE ON MINIMUM WAGE
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke about the minimum wage after yesterday's cabinet meeting. In his evaluations before the first meeting, President Erdoğan stated, "I believe that the process will be conducted with an understanding that will take into account the expectations of our employees and will not impose a heavy burden on our country's economy." Erdoğan's words were interpreted as a 'balance' message.
CEVDET YILMAZ EMPHASIZES "BALANCE" IN MINIMUM WAGE
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz made statements regarding the minimum wage during the 2025 budget discussions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Yılmaz said: "The minimum wage was 114 dollars in 2002, and it has now risen to 524 dollars. There is currently a negotiation process, and a balance will definitely be found between the public worker sector and businesses. Small businesses, labor-intensive businesses, are not very affected, but small businesses are indeed affected. I expect an approach that will ensure the survival of these businesses while also meeting the demands of the employees; we will see the results."
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL REITERATES MINIMUM WAGE DEMAND
Özgür Özel, the General President of the Republican People's Party (CHP), spoke during the 2025 budget discussions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Reiterating the demands for the minimum wage, Özel stated, "The proposal for the minimum wage for just the first half of 2025 is 30 thousand lira. We say, 'Our minimum wage offer is 30, and we will not accept anything below that.'"
DİSK ANNOUNCES MINIMUM WAGE DEMAND
Before the first meeting, the Revolutionary Workers' Unions Confederation (DİSK) announced its demands regarding the minimum wage. In a study conducted by DİSK-AR, the union's expectations for the minimum wage were outlined. The study stated, "The poverty line should be considered as a criterion in the minimum wage increase, and assuming there are two workers in the household, the minimum wage should be at least around half of the poverty line." According to the results of the hunger-poverty line research conducted by TÜRK-İŞ, the limit was announced as 66 thousand 976 in November. Based on this data, DİSK's minimum wage demand is calculated to be approximately 33 thousand 500 lira.
HOW IS THE MINIMUM WAGE DETERMINED?
The minimum wage is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which consists of 15 members, including 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 determine 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 of the side that the chairperson belongs to is accepted.
CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE IS 17 THOUSAND 2 LIRA
The minimum wage is currently applied as a gross monthly amount of 20 thousand 2 lira 50 kuruş for a worker, and after taxes and deductions, the net amount is 17 thousand 2 lira 12 kuruş.
The total cost of the minimum wage to the employer is 23 thousand 502 lira 94 kuruş for one worker. Of this, 20 thousand 2 lira 50 kuruş is the gross minimum wage, 3 thousand 100 lira 39 kuruş is the social security premium, and 400 lira 5 kuruş is the employer's unemployment insurance fund.
```