DİSK statement on minimum wage: 'Life is expensive, labor is cheap'

At a press conference held at the Istanbul Bar Association, the 2026 Minimum Wage Research report prepared by DİSK-AR and the union's demands were shared with the public. In addition to DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu, the meeting was attended by DİSK General Secretary Tayfun Görgün, Vice Presidents Alaaddin Sarı and Özkan Atar, Board Member Şükret Sevgener, Istanbul Regional Representative Asalettin Arslanoğlu, as well as union presidents and executives.

In her speech at the meeting, Çerkezoğlu drew attention to the decline in workers' purchasing power, stating, "Life is expensive, labor is cheap in our country." She voiced her criticisms regarding the 2026 minimum wage determination process and demanded a fair and livable wage.

WOMEN WORKERS AND UNIONIZATION

DİSK stated that women workers experience the minimum wage problem more intensely. It emphasized that female workers receive lower wages compared to men and that the rate of working for minimum wage is higher among women. Touching upon the importance of unionization, DİSK expressed that being organized is the key to overcoming the minimum wage problem.

TAX BURDEN AND THE SITUATION OF RETIREES

DİSK also brought its criticisms regarding income inequality and the tax system to the agenda. Çerkezoğlu stated that employees are crushed under a high tax burden, that pensions remain below the minimum wage, and that this situation must be corrected.

Finally, addressing workers across Turkey, DİSK called on them to organize, exercise their union rights, and join the struggle for a livable wage. Arzu Çerkezoğlu called for "a struggle side by side, shoulder to shoulder for justice in income, justice in taxes, and justice in the country."

News Source: 12punto