What will be the minimum wage for the year 2025? There are two figures on the table.

Millions of workers who did not receive a raise in July are now wondering how much the minimum wage increase in 2025 will be. The January 2025 increase, which affects not only minimum wage earners but also millions of workers in the private sector, is raising expectations. The new wage increase rate being discussed in the corridors could provide some relief to employees...

SCHOOL EXPENSES ARE WORRYING

After the minimum wage was announced as 17,002 TL in January 2024, 8 months have passed. With increasing inflation, the high cost of living, and rising rent and food prices, millions of workers whose salaries have been eroded are now thinking about their children's school expenses as September approaches. Especially in big cities, the cost of living is increasing day by day, and attention is already turning to the minimum wage increase that will take place in January 2025...

TWO FIGURES ON THE TABLE

The government has already started working on the wage increase rate for the minimum wage in the new year. Experts point out that no interim raise was made for the minimum wage in July and state that figures of 24,500 to 25,000 TL are on the table for the minimum wage as of January 2025.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE?

In 2022 and 2023, the minimum wage was increased twice in January and July. Most recently, with a 49% increase made by the government, the new minimum wage amount was determined as 17,002 TL.

HOW IS THE INCREASE RATE DETERMINED?

The minimum wage increase is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. The process proceeds as follows: The Minimum Wage Determination Commission, consisting of a total of 15 people, can convene with the participation of at least 10 members. One of the members is selected as the chairman of the commission by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. In the commission, where decisions are made by voting, if there is a tie, the opinion of the side where the chairman is located is considered valid. The commission holds its first meeting at the Ministry, and subsequent meetings are hosted by labor and employer unions. The final decision is announced with the last meeting held at the Ministry.

WHAT DOES NET AND GROSS WAGE MEAN?

When discussing the minimum wage and salary increase, net and gross wages can be confusing. Some employers may offer the salary proposal based on gross wages, while others may offer it based on net wages. So what do net and gross wages mean?

Employees are responsible for making monthly payments such as income tax, social security premiums, and union dues. Usually, these payments are deducted from the salary by the employer. The wage that does not take these deductions into account is called gross wage. The remaining wage after the payments are made is the net wage. In other words, the net wage refers to the total amount of money that the employee receives directly.