Ergün Atalay reacts to minimum wage decision! 'Don't give a raise, don't give any money'

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission will meet on December 1. Millions of workers have turned their eyes and ears to this critical meeting. The government's announcement that the minimum wage will be increased only once a year starting in 2024 has sparked controversy.

TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay reacted to the government's minimum wage decision during his speech at the 24th Ordinary General Assembly.

"DON'T GIVE A RAISE, DON'T GIVE ANY MONEY"

Atalay said, "For years, our friends have participated in the minimum wage negotiations. It concerns 12 items. This wage is a starting wage. It has reached a point where this wage has become a subsistence wage. The Minister says it will happen once this year. Don't have it at all, don't give a raise, and don't give any money."

"EVEN IF YOU WERE AN ACROBAT, YOU COULDN'T SURVIVE A WEEK ON 11,400 TL"

Atalay stated, "Two days from now, 4 workers will sit at that table. They will explain how they cannot make ends meet with this money. Even if you were an acrobat, you couldn't survive a week on 11,400 TL. Whatever I said here, I will say the same thing there. This issue is everyone's issue. The 8 million minimum wage earners represent this country's largest contract. It makes no difference to us. They are our neighbors, our friends. We do not have the luxury of hanging our heads in shame."

Atalay continued his remarks as follows:

"I tell those who govern the country: do not ignore us. Do not disregard us. In 3 days, workers will be sitting in the seats you occupy. Some bureaucrats think they are the owners of the state. This job is temporary for everyone."