What is being discussed in AKP corridors regarding the minimum wage? 'Whatever raise is necessary...'

The amount of the 2025 minimum wage, which directly concerns nearly 7 million employees and indirectly affects the entire society, remains uncertain.

The fact that no figures were mentioned at the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which met on December 10, 16, and 19, has caused public reaction.

TÜRK-İŞ, representing the labor side in the commission, announced the figure determined by minimum wage earners as 29,583 TL, based on 45 percent inflation plus a 20 percent welfare share, after no results came from the third meeting.

Following TÜRK-İŞ's announcement of its minimum wage demand, eyes have turned to the proposal to come from the employer side. The employer side is expected to present its proposal next week, after which a decision is expected.

On the other hand, what is being discussed in AKP corridors regarding the minimum wage hike has emerged. Although all parties have determined a figure, the AKP avoids giving a number for the minimum wage hike.

According to the report by Gazete Duvar, it was learned that in AKP corridors regarding the minimum wage hike, it was said: "We called 2024-2025 a year of restoration and repair. The minimum wage should be whatever the economic program requires. This year is not a year of welfare, and it will not be. To avoid experiencing this bottleneck at the end of next year, we must do what is difficult and provide whatever raise is necessary for the program to conclude healthily."

Almost every AKP member, while evaluating the reasons for the economic difficulties, made the self-criticism: "We made a big mistake regarding EYT (Retirement Age Legislation). We fell for populism. The number of retirees Turkey should have had at this moment was 10 million, but unfortunately, populism took us hostage and today we have 16 million retirees."

On the other hand, political parties have also announced their minimum wage expectations. Here are the minimum wage demands of the politicians...

CHP: WE ARE NOT IN FOR ANYTHING BELOW 30 THOUSAND TL

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who announced his party's minimum wage hike expectation, stated, "Our minimum wage demand is 30 thousand TL. We are not in for anything below this figure. We will continue to object and struggle. We will make this country difficult for you."

DEM PARTY: IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 35 THOUSAND TL

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan said regarding the minimum wage, "For the first time in the world, we are facing a government that offers hunger to its people, laborers, and employees. They are offering us hunger. They are not offering us anything. However, we will not waste our future by trusting your estimates. Our party's stance on the minimum wage is clear. Minimum wage earners should receive a wage they can live on humanely. The minimum wage should be at least 35 thousand liras and should be updated and increased twice a year."

İYİ PARTY: 28 THOUSAND TL ON THE CONDITION OF AN INTERIM RAISE

İYİ Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu announced a figure on the condition of an interim raise. Dervişoğlu said, "Taking into account the situation of employers, the net minimum wage in the first half of 2025 should be at least 28 thousand liras, provided that it is increased again in July. A wage below this is cruelty to the Turkish nation. It is our duty to hold those responsible for this cruelty accountable."

GELECEK PARTY: AT LEAST 33 THOUSAND 337 TL

Gelecek Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu emphasized that the minimum wage, which is 17 thousand 2 liras, has eroded down to 11 thousand 250 liras. Davutoğlu stated that the figure to be given for the minimum wage should be at least 33 thousand 337 liras. Davutoğlu said, "Only if you give 33 thousand 337 liras will you not have crushed the minimum wage earner against inflation."

YENİDEN REFAH PARTY: 35 THOUSAND TL

Yeniden Refah Party Deputy Chairman Suat Kılıç stated that the minimum wage should be 35 thousand liras in the new year.