He gave that example for the minimum wage: Call for the government not to be involved

HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan made statements regarding the 2026 minimum wage determination process, stating that the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission needs to change.

Arslan argued that the commission should consist only of worker and employer representatives, saying, “The government should not be involved here.” Citing the German example, Arslan expressed that the current structure of the commission is an obstacle to determining a healthy minimum wage.

Reminding that the minimum wage determines the lowest living wage in the country, Arslan reported that more than half of the employees in Turkey live on the minimum wage. Criticizing this situation, Arslan said, “The rate of those working for minimum wage in a country should not exceed 10 percent of total employees. However, this rate is very high in Turkey.”

IT IS NOT RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE MINIMUM WAGE WITH TURKSTAT'S BASKET

Arslan argued that the minimum wage determined based on Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) data does not meet the real needs of workers. Stating that the proportions of goods and services in TURKSTAT's basket do not overlap with the consumption habits of minimum wage earners, Arslan expressed that the low proportions of basic consumer goods such as food, rent, and energy in the TURKSTAT basket are a misleading reflection that affects the minimum wage. Arslan said, "50 percent of our consumption weight is rent and food. The minimum wage should be determined by taking these needs into account."

"THE COMMISSION STRUCTURE MUST CHANGE"

Reiterating that the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission must change, Arslan emphasized that only worker and employer representatives should be in the commission. Stating, “The government should only assume a regulatory role, but should not be in the commission,” Arslan reminded that TÜRK-İŞ has decided not to participate as long as the commission structure does not change. Arslan used the expression, “A minimum wage determined by employers and the government at a table where the worker segment is not present will not be healthy.”

THE ROLE OF THE MUNICIPALITY AND GOVERNMENT IN THE COMMISSION

Stating that the current structure of the commission is undemocratic, Arslan said, “A healthy minimum wage cannot come out of this structure. As in the German example, there should be two actors determining the minimum wage: Employers and workers.” Also stating that commission memberships should be determined in proportion to the number of members of worker confederations, Arslan expressed that in the current system, the largest confederation is included, but other confederations are excluded.

Arguing that the number of representatives and the structure in the Minimum Wage Determination Commission should be changed, Arslan stated that there should be two actors to determine the minimum wage, as in Germany. Arslan said, “If there is a disagreement between employers and workers, an arbitrator can preside or it should be resolved by drawing lots.”

THE COMMISSION WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING ON DECEMBER 12

Drawing attention to the first meeting the Minimum Wage Determination Commission will hold on December 12, Arslan said, “TÜRK-İŞ says, ‘We will not participate if there is no new regulation.’ HAK-İŞ cannot participate anyway. In this case, the minimum wage determined with employers will be unfair.”

NEW LEGAL REGULATIONS ARE NEEDED

Arslan stated that the regulations required to change the structure of the commission could be completed by December 12. Arslan emphasized that the minimum wage should be determined with inflation and a welfare share, and said, “The wage we determine should not be a minimum wage, but a living wage. If we operate the system healthily, we will determine a minimum wage suitable for Turkey.”