SGK expert gives a figure for the minimum wage to be announced next week! It concerns millions of employees...

As the minimum wage negotiations near their conclusion, the eyes of millions of employees are turned to the decision that will emerge from the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. Having completed two meetings, the commission continues its work for the new minimum wage that will be effective from January 1, 2026. The public is closely following not only the increase rate but also the impact of this increase on the market and wage balance.

During this process, SGK expert Özgür Erdursun shared his expectations regarding the minimum wage and his assessments of the wage system in a television program he attended.

Here are Erdursun's statements regarding the minimum wage process:

THE FINAL WEEK OF THE CALENDAR HAS BEGUN

“I think it will become clear and be announced next week what the minimum wage will be. We will already be entering the final week. We are finishing the month and the year. I think the minimum wage that will be effective from January 1, 2026, will be finalized and announced at the next meeting.”

A 25 PERCENT INCREASE IS EXPECTED

The minimum wage was set at thirty percent for a one-year period last year. We think that this year, the minimum wage will be determined with a figure and a rate slightly above the targeted inflation. We anticipate that the minimum wage will increase by around twenty-five percent.

GAVE A FIGURE

We think the minimum wage will be in the band of 27 thousand five hundred liras to 28,000 liras. Of course, there are currently 17,265,379 employees in Turkey. 15,200,000 people in the private sector. 2,064,000 people in the public sector. Average wages in Turkey are around 30,000 liras. Including the public sector, it is 36,000 liras. It will also very closely concern other wages.

EMPHASIS ON BALANCE WHILE DETERMINING WAGES

We are currently talking about the minimum wage, but of course, we are not only talking in terms of minimum wage earners. It also needs to be evaluated in terms of the costs that will come out of the pockets of tradesmen and employers who will determine other wages. There are two million two hundred seventy-six thousand eight hundred seventy-one businesses in Turkey. And a large portion of these businesses are small and medium-sized. For this reason, when this minimum wage is determined, the minimum wage is a balance figure.

AVERAGE WAGE DEBATE

If average wages are discussed, the welfare level of society increases. If the minimum wage is discussed, poverty increases. For this reason, we need to stop talking about the minimum wage and start talking about other wages, average wages. This needs to be questioned. For example, there are those who say this. There are those who say, 'I work for minimum wage. Why do you say the minimum wage should remain so low?' There are those who criticize us.

I have been working for minimum wage for 10 years. Now, if that person has been working for minimum wage for 10 years, that is actually not a minimum wage problem. I think the systemic problem of that person being shown as an employee still working for minimum wage after 10 years is hidden there in itself.

WAGE ADJUSTMENT ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCE

Otherwise, in terms of entry-level wages and experience wages, the minimum wage should be slightly lower than other wages. For example, in Europe, the minimum wage is forty percent of average wages. In Turkey, the minimum wage is currently seventy-four percent of the average wage. If it continues like this, if the minimum wage increases rapidly and other wages do not increase at the same rate, for example, last year, a thirty percent increase was made to the minimum wage in 2025.

But other wages, salaries above the minimum wage, were increased by an average of 25%. In this case, the minimum wage is getting closer to the average wage every day. If it continues like this, then it will be a completely average wage. I think we need to move the minimum wage away from the level of being an average wage.

THE IMPACT OF A HIGH INCREASE

Also, let's say the minimum wage is 22,104 liras today. Let's say we made the minimum wage 50,000 liras. Accordingly, we added the insurance premium cost, food, transportation, and severance pay, and it became 100,000 liras.

WARNING OF PRICE HIKES

Now, for the person employing one, three, five, or ten people—look, these are small businesses—in order for those people to cover those costs, if they are selling bread, the price of bread will double, the price of cheese will triple, the price of olives will double, trousers will double, and whatever you can think of from head to toe, the goods and services products will also increase at the same rate.

What is important here is not the figure of the minimum wage, but that our other expenses—primarily rent, meaning housing, food, and other expenditures—should show less of an increase so that the money we receive has value.

Otherwise, the increase in figures means nothing.”