TÜRK-İŞ requests additional pay raise for public workers from Minister Işıkhan

TÜRK-İŞ has conveyed its demands to Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan regarding the Public Collective Bargaining Framework Protocol, which concerns 700 thousand public workers, including "moving the contract start dates to January" and "providing a welfare share to public workers."

Following the meeting, which lasted approximately 2 hours and was closed to the press, Atalay made a statement to reporters at the entrance of the ministry.

Atalay recalled that they signed the Public Collective Bargaining Framework Protocol in May, which determines the financial and social rights of more than 700 thousand workers in the public sector for the 2023-2024 period.

Stating that the lowest public worker wage was increased to 15 thousand liras with the contract, and that wages were increased by 45 percent in the first six months of 2023, including a welfare share, and by 15 percent in the second six months, Atalay said:

"We signed a good public contract at that time, but we are paying the price for the hardship caused by the inflation that has occurred since then. At the point we have reached, there is a wage imbalance. We are facing a hardship we have not seen for a quarter of a century. There is a wage difference of approximately 18 thousand liras between an electrical worker and a technician. Our colleagues met with the employer union TÜHİS last week and today. This issue concerns the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. All of our colleagues shared their views at the meeting."

"DIFFERENT INFLATION RATES EMERGE FOR JANUARY AND MARCH"

Arguing that wage balance and labor peace have been disrupted in workplaces due to high inflation, Atalay said, "Our contracts start in January and continue with those starting in February, March, June, July, and August. A different inflation rate emerges for January, another for February, and another for March."

Expressing that the wage imbalance in the public sector must be resolved as soon as possible, Atalay continued:

"The Minister stated that he would meet with the employer union TÜHİS this week and provide us with information about this next week. The previous meeting was unofficial.

We held an official meeting with the public coordination board this evening. Our wages have eroded so much. According to TÜİK, inflation is around 65 percent. When you look at the markets and the shelves, it is over 90 percent.

We are waiting for a positive response to our legitimate demand as soon as possible. Let them make an arrangement that will give us some breathing room. Let them also move the contract start date to January."