TÜRK-İŞ President Atalay: We will accept a figure that satisfies society
Ergün Atalay, President of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), stated that the minimum wage concerns 8 million workers, adding, "We will accept a figure that satisfies society."
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Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan visited TÜRK-İŞ as part of the efforts to determine the minimum wage that will be effective in the new year. Minister Işıkhan was welcomed at the entrance of the TÜRK-İŞ Headquarters by TÜRK-İŞ Vice Presidents Ramazan Ağar, Eyüp Alemdar, and Nazmi Irgat. Responding to questions from members of the press after the meeting, TÜRK-İŞ President Atalay said, "To date, no statement has been made regarding the minimum wage. Some places have announced certain figures, but we have said nothing. Now we are going there. If the figure presented to us aligns with our expectations, we will state our desired figure. I believe we are currently heading to the presidential complex. We will sit down, state the figures, express our opinion, and stand by what we say. I hope it will be a figure we desire. Let them present the figure to us first, and then we will announce our position. The Minister did not ask us for a figure either. Let our President ask; let the employer and the government speak first, and then we will explain our stance," he said.
“IF WE CANNOT REACH A CONSENSUS, WE WILL SAY ‘WE ARE NOT AT THE TABLE’ AND WALK AWAY”
When asked about the possibility of failing to reach a consensus, Atalay stated, "If we reach a consensus, we will continue to talk at the table; if we do not, we will say 'we are not at the table' and walk away, and that will be the end of it. The minimum wage here concerns 8 million workers. We are not in a position to bear the burden of anyone's responsibility. We are doing what the commission dictates. There are 4 workers at the table, and Mr. Ramazan is leading the process. We are doing everything together with them, we are working together. Living conditions and market prices are evident. We are not saying these things just because we feel like it. We will accept a figure that satisfies society," he declared.
Following the two meetings held by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, it is expected that President Erdoğan will receive the parties—consisting of representatives from workers, employers, and the government—later today, and that the minimum wage to be effective in the new year will be announced by President Erdoğan.