05.11.2026 08:30
Before the minimum wage negotiations set to begin in December, raise scenarios concerning millions of workers have emerged. Faruk Erdem, a columnist for the Sabah newspaper known for its closeness to the government, brought three different increase possibilities ranging from 28.4 percent to 33.7 percent to his column. According to the calculations, while the net minimum wage in the new year could rise to 37,536 lira, many payments from unemployment benefits to severance pay will also change.
The countdown has begun to determine the minimum wage to be applied in 2027. Ahead of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which is expected to convene in December, calculations regarding the raise rates are drawing attention. In addition to millions of employees, unemployment benefits, severance pay, maternity benefits, and social security premiums will also be reshaped according to the new minimum wage.
Faruk Erdem, a columnist for the Sabah newspaper known for its closeness to the government, evaluated in his column the possible increases to the minimum wage in the new year and the possible reflections of these increases on other payments.
WRITER CLOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT SHARED 3 DIFFERENT SCENARIOS
Reminding that the minimum wage is determined by a 15-member commission, Erdem stated that inflation is an important indicator in raise calculations. Accordingly, three different scenarios came to the fore based on the 28.4% inflation forecast in the Medium-Term Program (MTP), a 30% increase, and a 33.7% increase in the resources allocated for tax exemption support in the 2027 budget.
According to the calculations, if the minimum wage is raised by 28.4%, the net wage will rise to 36,048 liras and the gross wage to 42,410 liras. With a 30% increase, the net minimum wage will be 36,498 liras and the gross wage 42,939 liras. In the 33.7% raise scenario, the net wage will reach 37,536 liras and the gross wage 44,161 liras.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT MAY EXCEED 35 THOUSAND LIRAS
The possible increase in the minimum wage will also change the lower and upper limits of the unemployment benefit. The net unemployment benefit, which currently ranges from a minimum of 13,111 liras to a maximum of 26,223 liras, will be between 16,835 liras and 33,670 liras under the 28.4% raise scenario.
If the 33.7% increase occurs, the lower limit of the unemployment benefit will rise to 17,530 liras and the upper limit to 35,060 liras.
NEW FIGURES IN SEVERANCE PAY
The severance pay of minimum wage workers will also increase along with the new wage. The minimum annual severance pay, which is currently 32,779 liras for each year worked after stamp tax deduction, will rise to 42,088 liras in the case of a 28.4% raise.
In the 33.7% increase scenario, this amount will reach 43,825 liras.
MATERNITY LEAVE PAYMENTS WILL ALSO INCREASE
The minimum incapacity benefit paid to mothers on maternity leave for a 168-day period will also be affected by the minimum wage increase. The payment, which is currently 123,312 liras, will rise to 158,332 liras with a 28.4% increase and to 164,868 liras with a 33.7% increase.
There will also be an increase in the payments made by İŞKUR to mothers who benefit from the right to work part-time after maternity leave. The payment, which currently amounts to 16,389 liras per month, will rise to 21,044 liras with a 28.4% raise and to 21,912 liras with a 33.7% raise.
SICK LEAVE PAY AND INTERN WAGES WILL CHANGE
The daily minimum sick leave pay paid to those unable to work due to illness currently stands at 550.5 liras for inpatient treatment and 734 liras for outpatient treatment. If the minimum wage is raised by 28.4%, these amounts will rise to 706.84 liras and 942.46 liras, respectively. With a 33.7% increase, payments of 736.02 liras for inpatient treatment and 981.36 liras for outpatient treatment will be made.
A similar increase is envisaged in intern wages. Under the 28.4% raise scenario, the minimum wages paid to interns will vary between 5,407 liras and 10,814 liras depending on the number of employees at the workplace. With a 33.7% increase, these amounts will rise to 5,630 liras and 11,261 liras.
PRIVATE PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS AND INSURANCE PREMIUMS WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED
The increase in the minimum wage will also increase the minimum employee deduction made under automatic enrollment in the private pension system (BES). The minimum employee contribution, which is currently 990.9 liras, will rise to 1,272 liras with a 28.4% raise and to 1,324 liras with a 33.7% increase.
In addition, Bağ-Kur and SGK premiums, as well as maternity, military service, and overseas borrowing amounts, will also be calculated based on the new minimum wage.