No figure emerged in the first minimum wage negotiation meeting
Following the meeting, which lasted about an hour, Türk-İş Vice President Ağar stated that no specific figure was discussed during today's meeting and that the second meeting would take place on Monday, December 18.
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The Minimum Wage Determination Commission held its first meeting at the Ministry, chaired by Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan.
At the meeting held at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the employer side is represented by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), and the worker side is represented by the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (Türk-İş). The employer delegation is chaired by TİSK Secretary General Akansel Koç, while the worker delegation is chaired by Türk-İş Vice President Ramazan Ağar.
IŞIKHAN: WE WILL WORK TO DETERMINE THE MINIMUM WAGE AT THE MOST REASONABLE LEVEL
Delivering the opening speech of the meeting, Minister Işıkhan claimed that the minimum wage would be determined at 'the most reasonable level that will not victimize anyone.' Işıkhan also reiterated the government's claim that employees will not be crushed by inflation.
In summary, Işıkhan stated the following:
"Whatever the conditions, we will continue to fight against informal employment and unemployment. I believe the meetings will be held with a sense of fair assessment. With the effect of the general recovery in the economy, we expect an increase in employment next year. We will work to determine the minimum wage at the most reasonable level that will not allow our employees' income to be crushed by inflation, and that will protect and increase employment."
"AS TÜRK-İŞ, WE DO NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO STATE A WAGE"
Making a statement after the meeting, which lasted about 1 hour, Türk-İş Vice President Ramazan Ağar noted that no figure was discussed in today's meeting and that the second meeting would be held on Monday, December 18.
Pointing out that it would not be right for the union to pronounce any wage at this moment, Ağar said they are waiting for the employer's offer.
Ağar said the following:
"Today, the eyes and ears of millions were on today's meeting. No wage issue was discussed in our meetings today. We will come together again on Monday at 13:30. As Türk-İş, we do not have the chance to state a wage; if we state a wage, we will be tied down. An offer must come from the employer side so that we can evaluate it. There is no point in stating a wage right now."
WORKER AND EMPLOYER CALL FOR "PROTECTING INCOME"
Taking the floor after Işıkhan, TİSK Secretary General Koç said, "The support to be provided for the protection and increase of employment is important. The incomes of all employees must be protected against the cost of living."
Following Koç, Türk-İş Vice President Ağar, speaking on behalf of the worker delegation, reminded that workers who will serve in the commission for the first time this year will directly explain their experiences. Ağar said, "The determining factor is the government's approach." Ağar noted that they expect the obligations toward the workers to be fulfilled.
WORKER AND EMPLOYER AGREE ON TAX REDUCTION
Unlike previous years, the 5-person TÜRK-İŞ delegation will include 4 workers for the first time in this year's negotiations. A cashier, a healthcare worker, an energy worker, and a subcontractor worker working on highways will contribute to the process of determining the new minimum wage this year.
TÜRK-İŞ, which has not yet shared its demand for the new minimum wage with the public, is demanding a minimum wage at a level "worthy of human dignity."
TİSK, which wants the new minimum wage to be determined this year with the tripartite agreement of workers, employers, and the government, is of the opinion that the wage should be balanced and at a level that protects employment and competitiveness. TİSK's insistence on continuing the minimum wage employer support by increasing it also continues.
Despite the difference of opinion on the minimum wage, the worker and employer sides agree on tax reduction. Both sides are in agreement on the gradual reduction of taxes on wages.
HOW IS THE MINIMUM WAGE DETERMINED?
By law, the minimum wage is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which consists of 15 people, with five representatives each from workers, employers, and the government.
The commission meets on dates determined in December as part of its efforts to determine the new minimum wage.
The commission, chaired by one of the members appointed by the Ministry, meets with the participation of at least 10 members and makes decisions by majority vote. In case of a tie in votes, the side with the chair is considered to have achieved the majority.
MINIMUM WAGE IS 11 THOUSAND 402 LIRA NET
The minimum wage is applied as 13 thousand 414 lira and 50 kuruş gross per month for one worker, and 11 thousand 402 lira and 32 kuruş net after taxes and deductions.
The total cost of the minimum wage to the employer for one worker is 15 thousand 762 lira and 4 kuruş. Of this, 13 thousand 414 lira and 50 kuruş constitutes the gross minimum wage, 2 thousand 79 lira and 25 kuruş constitutes the social security premium, and 268 lira and 29 kuruş constitutes the employer's unemployment insurance premium.
The minimum wage, which was applied as 8 thousand 506 lira net in the January-June period of this year, was increased to 11 thousand 402 lira net as of July 1.