Minister Işıkhan speaks on Bağkur and minimum wage

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan answered questions regarding working life and the current agenda during a television program he attended. 

RETIREMENT FOR HOUSEWIVES

Responding to a question about preparations for regulations regarding the social security and retirement of housewives, Işıkhan said: 

"We have started our work on providing one-third premium support to housewives. We are establishing a system where one-third of the required premium is paid by the state within the scope of voluntary insurance. This is a promise made by our President, and we will fulfill it. I would like to emphasize that there will definitely be no deviation from this. When the time and conditions are right, we will receive input from unions in the field, women's organizations, and many non-governmental organizations. After that, we will bring it to a certain point. Later, we will come together with officials from our Ministry of Treasury and Finance to bring this to life. However, since this is a long-term project, our goal will be to implement it in the medium term." 

PREMIUM DAY COUNT FOR BAĞKUR MEMBERS

Işıkhan answered the question regarding the reduction of the premium day count for Bağkur members from 9,000 days to 7,200 days as follows: 

"We must ensure the sustainability of our social security system. We achieve this through premium revenues. Therefore, we strive to keep our citizens in employment and working life as much as possible. Retirement is actually a result. We all work, and at a certain point, we earn it. Of course, I respect the expectations of Bağkur members. Our work on this issue continues. The issue of reducing the number of days from 9,000 to 7,200 was also a promise made before the election. We will fulfill this as well." 

MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENT

Recalling that the net minimum wage was set at 17,002 lira and addressing public speculation regarding the 2 lira, Işıkhan stated that all employees earning above the minimum wage are exempt from both stamp tax and income tax on their income up to the minimum wage level. 

Pointing out that the minimum wage is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, Işıkhan provided the following information: 

"When the minimum wage is determined, it is set on a daily and gross basis. We express it as a net figure, but it is determined as a gross amount. Hourly and monthly amounts are calculated accordingly. It is a completely technical matter. It is a regulation made by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. Accordingly, the monthly gross minimum wage for 2024 was set at 20,002 lira and 50 kuruş. The hourly rate was set at 88 lira and 90 kuruş. After deductions, the net minimum wage amount is determined as 17,002 lira and 12 kuruş. We have stated this figure."