Türk-İş announces hunger threshold! Will it affect the minimum wage? If it is 20 percent...

Türk-İş has shared the results of its monthly "Hunger and Poverty Threshold" research.

In the November 2024 research, the "hunger threshold," which represents the monthly food expenditure for a family of four, was recorded at 20,532 TL.

The "poverty threshold," defined as the total income that must enter a household for food and all other basic expenses, was stated as 66,976 TL.

The research showed that the monthly cost of living for a single worker is 26,712 TL.

The difference between the minimum wage and the cost of living was 9,700 TL.

According to the research, kitchen inflation was calculated at 0.64 percent on a monthly basis, 46.60 percent over 12 months, and 67.20 percent on an annual basis.

"MINIMUM WAGE LASTS 7 DAYS"

In a statement made by Türk-İş, it was said, "The ever-increasing cost of living, injustice in income distribution and taxation have further worsened the living conditions of all segments of society with low and fixed incomes, especially workers, and continue to worsen them with each passing day."

The statement, which noted that "As of today, the current minimum wage only lasts 7 days for a family of four," added: "Although working for a wage that provides an income level worthy of human dignity is a constitutional right, millions of workers are forced to sustain their lives with low and insufficient earnings along with their families. Sacrifice is expected from workers to emerge from the economic crisis. As we have stated before, wage earners are not the cause of inflation, but its victims. There is a need for a fair tax system that balances income and wealth inequality in our country, as well as holistic social policies."

MINIMUM WAGE DISCUSSIONS

While different scenarios regarding minimum wage hike estimates are being discussed, the rate at which bargaining for the new minimum wage will begin is also becoming clear.

Based on public expectations, the bargaining is expected to start with a demand for a minimum increase of 25-35 percent. According to the probable scenarios regarding the minimum wage, the wages will take shape as follows:

“If a 20 percent raise is granted, the minimum wage will be 20,402 liras.

If a 25 percent raise is granted, the minimum wage will be 21,252 liras.

If a 30 percent raise is granted, the minimum wage will be 22,102 liras.

If a 35 percent raise is granted, the minimum wage will be 22,502 liras.

If a 40 percent raise is granted, the minimum wage will be 23,802 liras.”

According to this calculation, if the minimum wage increases by 20 percent, this figure will remain at the hunger threshold.