Critical turning point for minimum wage: Final stage reached

Work to determine the 2025 minimum wage will begin with the first meeting to be hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on Tuesday, December 10. TÜRK-İŞ, representing the workers, and the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), representing the employers, will participate in the efforts.

The minimum wage is currently at the level of 17 thousand 2 lira and 12 kuruş. The gross minimum wage is at the level of 20 thousand 2 lira and 50 kuruş. Its total cost to the employer, including social security premiums and unemployment insurance fund contributions, reaches 23 thousand 502 lira and 94 kuruş.

WHO IS ON THE MINIMUM WAGE DETERMINATION COMMISSION?

The 15-member Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which is tasked with setting the minimum wage, consists of worker, employer, and government representatives. This year, the commission will again be chaired by TÜRK-İŞ Vice President Ramazan Ağar.

The TÜRK-İŞ delegation will include chef Selma Sayın, hairdresser Nihan Koçak, Durmuş Öztürk, who works as a subcontractor at the General Directorate of Highways, and journalist Sezer Özseven. The problems and demands experienced by workers will be brought to the table through these representatives.

The increase to be made to the minimum wage affects not only those working for this wage but also salaries in workplaces where collective bargaining agreements are applied and many parameters in legal regulations.

The new minimum wage will be a determining factor in many items such as unemployment benefits, severance pay, and maternity and military service debt.

HOW WILL THE WAGE DETERMINATION PROCESS WORK?

The minimum wage is determined by the Commission, which meets at the call of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Following four meetings to be held in December, the decision reached by majority vote will be announced to the public. In the event of a tie in votes, the opinion of the side represented by the Commission chair will be decisive.