Allegations of 'pressure' in public worker wage negotiations: 'Protocol accepted through imposition'

The Public Framework Protocol (KÇP) for the 2025-2026 period, which concerns more than 600 thousand workers employed in the public sector, has been officially signed. Workers, who had been hopeful for a high wage increase throughout the process, were ultimately forced to settle for the government's offer. The first reaction following the signing was quite harsh.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that the negotiations were concluded in a statement after the signing ceremony, using the words, "We have closed this file, now it is the civil servants' turn." However, the way the process was managed, as well as the content of the protocol, sparked controversy.

"IMPOSITION WAS PLACED ON WORKERS"

According to a report by Erdoğan Süzer from Sözcü, Hasan Atak, head of the Türk Harb-İş Union's Eskişehir branch, claimed that workers were forced to accept a raise that fell short of their demands. Atak expressed his reaction by saying, "In meetings where the workers' decision was asked, the offer, which the majority did not approve, was accepted through impositions with a submissive logic, saying, 'If we don't sign, the government won't give an extra 1 lira. They will take all contracts to the Supreme Arbitration Board with strike bans. Therefore, we have to sign.'" Atak also called for the resignation of the Türk-İş and Hak-İş administrations.

WAGE TABLE: WHO WILL GET WHAT?

According to the signed protocol, the wages of all public workers whose gross base salary is below 42 thousand TL have been increased to 42 thousand TL, equivalent to 1,400 TL per day. For those earning above this threshold, a flat raise of 40 TL per day was applied.

Furthermore:

• A general raise of 24 percent will be applied for the first 6 months.
• In the second 6 months, a flat increase of 50 TL and an 11 percent raise will come into effect.
• For the year 2026, a 10 percent + 6 percent raise will be implemented.
• Inflation difference will be paid in all periods.
• Depending on the difficulty of the work, an additional premium between 3 and 7 percent will be paid.
• An additional raise of 3.68 percent will be applied as a contract difference.
• With these rates, it is projected that the lowest net salary will be between 51-56 thousand TL in the first 6 months and 56-61 thousand TL in the second 6 months.

The wage increases will also be reflected in other payments made to workers. Allowances for birth, death, marriage, clothing, and meals; social assistance, service raises, travel allowances, and severance pay will also be increased at the same rate.

CLOSED-TO-PRESS SIGNING CEREMONY DRAWS REACTION

After the signatures were cast, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan shared photos from the ceremony, which was held behind closed doors, on his social media account. The lack of transparency in the negotiations became another target of criticism.

News Source: 12punto