How the minimum wage figure was determined: 'Employers met with Erdoğan'

The behind-the-scenes details of the 30 percent minimum wage hike have emerged. It has been learned that before the raise rate was set, employers met with President Erdoğan and stated, "If the figure is high, unemployment will rise."

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

How the minimum wage figure was determined: 'Employers met with Erdoğan'

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission announced the 2025 minimum wage as 22,104 TL with a 30 percent increase in its fourth, hastily convened meeting. While reactions to the raise continue to echo, a significant claim regarding how the controversial figure was reached has come to the fore.

In a report by Tolga Balcı from Gazete Pencere, it was stated that TİSK, which was at the table representing employers, pressured the government during the meetings, using the words, "If the minimum wage is announced above 23 thousand liras, we will lay off many workers in businesses."

'THEY MET WITH ERDOĞAN'

A similar claim came from Cem Küçük, a columnist for the pro-government Türkiye newspaper. Küçük also stated that employers met with AKP President Erdoğan, saying, "Employers met with Erdoğan and said 'unemployment will rise.' Only what the bosses wanted happened regarding the minimum wage."

Participating in a TGRT broadcast, Küçük spoke as follows:

"Employers met with Erdoğan. The employers told Erdoğan that 'unemployment will rise.' There is not a single person from the AK Party or MHP who says it was 'good.' There is no way to explain the minimum wage. It is being criticized heavily in society. Right now, even the Syria issue is not being discussed. Everyone was negatively affected. Only what the bosses wanted happened regarding the minimum wage. The trend in inflation is not good.

For the first time since the AK Party has been in government, they have raised the minimum wage below the announced inflation rate. There is no way to explain this. It is not the employees but the bosses who are happy. I was saying it would not be below 24 thousand liras. The government swept away the momentum it had gained. People's morale has been broken. If you raise everything you are going to buy by 44 percent and give the public 30 percent, this will have a negative outcome."

News Source: 12punto