'Minimum wage anxiety' in the AKP leaks from the corridors! 'It is being deliberately suppressed...'
Aziz Çelik, an expert in Labor Economics, stated that the minimum wage has ceased to be an "exceptional" income and has become the base wage for broad segments of society. Arguing that this situation is causing anxiety within the ruling party, Çelik stated that the government is leaning toward limiting the minimum wage by citing inflation targets.
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Labor Economics Expert Aziz Çelik expressed that the AKP is experiencing serious unease due to its minimum wage policy. Speaking on a program he attended on Sözcü TV, Çelik claimed that the Minimum Wage Determination Commission has been rendered dysfunctional and argued that the wage is being deliberately kept under pressure with the claim that it increases inflation.
"Because the minimum wage has become the prevalent wage, it has become a major expectation. There is a widespread expectation," said Aziz Çelik, and continued as follows:
"Even if the Minister says 'we will not let the citizens be crushed by inflation,' they neither trust the inflation figures nor do they think the announced amount will be sufficient for a living."
"The minimum wage used to be limited, but now they think it will not be suitable for everyone's living conditions. Currently, a wage of 45-50 thousand liras is appropriate for living conditions."
"It is said that the minimum wage determination commission has met twice, but it is a commission that has no authority and does not discuss any wage."
"Because the minimum wage is not discussed in the commission; it comes to the commission from the government and they sign it. In the past, TÜİK would come with documents, discussions would be held, and it would be determined. But it is not like that anymore."
"The government is trying to impose an amount that suppresses the minimum wage, in parallel with the economic policy it will follow next year, taking into account the inflation target, and believing that wages and the minimum wage increase inflation."
"There is currently a panic regarding the minimum wage. For the first time, I am seeing the Minister of Labor visiting labor confederations while the minimum wage commission is meeting. There is a table, but the worker is not coming; there are reasons for this, and what you need to do is solve the problems and change the system. Visits were made to TÜRK-İŞ and HAK-İŞ. There were meetings held through the back door."
"The government, depending on the policies it follows, will not have a low minimum wage because there will be no election. And I think it will be announced next week."
"The minimum wage is a wage that concerns the worker, so it does not concern businesses. The situation has been reversed for us; even international organizations are making predictions."
"I think the minimum wage that the government will impose is predicted by everyone. But this is not fair."
"The minimum wage that I think should be is around 45-50 thousand. This is a livable wage."
"There is no debate about whether this minimum wage is possible or not. What matters is whether they will make this choice or not."
