Vedat Işıkhan gives a date for the minimum wage! 'There will be a single raise because...'

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission will hold its first meeting on December 11.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made statements after the Cabinet Meeting held at the Palace regarding the minimum wage raise, which concerns millions of citizens.

In response to a question, Işıkhan stated that they would come together with the parties quickly to determine the minimum wage, just as they did in July, and said, "We will start the process on Monday; our bureaucrats are working with the commissions. Once it is concluded, we will share it with you."

'WE ARE OBLIGED TO PUBLISH IT IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE BY DECEMBER 31'

When asked, "Efforts were made to finish the minimum wage negotiations quickly in July. Will the result be announced before the end of the month in these negotiations as well?", Vedat Işıkhan noted the following:

"It depends on the commission's work. Technical studies are being carried out. As you know, representatives from the ministries are coming, and their work on finishing it early will shape our approach. We are obliged to publish the minimum wage, which will be valid starting from January, in the Official Gazette by December 31. The faster the commissions work, the faster we will announce the result. Currently, all indicators are trending positively. We will have an opening with our TÜRK-İŞ and TİSK presidents on Monday.

I have presented the process to our President. Our principle, as you know, is not to let our employees be crushed by inflation."

When asked about assessments suggesting that the minimum wage should be increased by 53.5 percent to reach 17,500 liras so that employees do not lose purchasing power against inflation, Işıkhan replied, "When we finish our work, we will reach the final result, God willing, and we will share it with you."

Regarding a question on whether there is any work being done on employer support, Işıkhan used the expression, "We will evaluate all of these issues."

'THERE WILL BE A SINGLE RAISE BECAUSE...'

When reminded of statements that there would be a single raise for the minimum wage, Minister Işıkhan said, "There will be a single raise, because that is how it is in our regulation; our Minimum Wage Regulation states it is once a year. Under very mandatory conditions, such as an earthquake... Last year, we made a second raise to the minimum wage upon the instruction of our President."