Wage offer for public sector workers falls short of expectations
The government's wage offer in negotiations affecting 600,000 public sector workers has caused significant disappointment among labor unions. The raise rates proposed by TÜHİS remained well behind the unions' demands.
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TÜHİS proposed a 16 percent raise for public sector workers for the first six months of 2025 and an 8 percent raise for the second six months. For 2026, a 7 percent raise was proposed for the first six months and 5 percent for the second six months. However, in the proposal submitted by Türk-İş and Hak-İş in February, they had demanded that the lowest daily wage be increased to 1,800 liras, followed by a 50 percent raise for the first half of 2025, 25 percent for the second half, and an additional 10 percent welfare share.
Unions stated that the proposed raise rates are unacceptable and are preparing for an intense schedule of negotiations this week. Labor unions, which will visit the Ministry of Labor and Social Security today, will express their reactions at a meeting to be held with the participation of the Public Coordination Board. Tomorrow, the unions' destination will be the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
Türk-İş President Ergün Atalay stated, "A hot summer awaits us regarding collective bargaining agreements," and announced that they would be in front of the Ministry of Finance in Ankara with 3,000 to 4,000 people. HAK-İŞ emphasized that the 16 percent raise proposed for the first six months is not even one-third of the unions' demand.