Social Security expert's prediction on minimum wage mid-year hike

The minimum wage in Turkey is at the center of economic and social policies. Set at a gross of 20,002.50 TL and a net of 17,002.12 TL in 2024, the minimum wage was increased by 30 percent at the beginning of 2025, rising to a gross of 26,005.50 TL and a net of 22,104.68 TL.

As the Turkish Lira has lost value against foreign currencies, purchasing power has also declined. Millions of workers, now condemned to a poverty wage, are waiting for a mid-year raise.

WAGE HIKE PRACTICES IN PREVIOUS YEARS

In 2022 and 2023, the minimum wage was increased twice a year. The mid-year hikes of 30 percent in July 2022 and 34 percent in July 2023 were intended to protect workers' incomes against inflation. However, in 2024, a raise was only implemented in January, and no mid-year adjustment was made.

At the beginning of 2025, the government announced that the minimum wage would only be increased once a year. However, the fact that hunger and poverty thresholds are higher than the minimum wage has made it necessary to re-evaluate this decision. Increases in retiree and civil servant salaries could exacerbate income inequality if the minimum wage remains stagnant.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BALANCES

As we enter the second half of the year, high inflation and the cost of living are rapidly eroding the purchasing power of minimum wage earners.

Workers are waiting for a mid-year raise for the minimum wage...

In his column for Dünya newspaper, Social Security expert Özgür Erdursun stated that the minimum wage is not just a number, but an indicator of the economic climate and social welfare.

Stating that he does not expect a mid-year hike to the minimum wage in 2025, Erdursun emphasized that the government should turn toward new policy steps that will both relieve employers and provide support to minimum wage earners.

News Source: 12punto