Statement on 'minimum wage' from SOL Party

In a statement issued by the SOL Party, it was pointed out that the minimum wage increase no longer has anything to do with the rights of the working class in Turkey. The statement noted that the discussion is constantly reduced to a figure, and emphasized that the problems faced by people who live on their labor cannot be solved by a figure given for 6 months or 1 year.

"THE DETERMINED WAGE CANNOT BE SATISFACTORY"

According to a report by BirGün, the statement said, "Especially this process cannot be determined by a performance where there is no representation of social opposition, and where the union and parliamentary opposition act merely for show, just to go through the motions," and included the following remarks:

"While budget negotiations were ongoing, the SOL Party called for protests and announced its demands regarding the minimum wage in every province where it is organized. If the wage crisis and the devaluation of labor in this country are problems of the street and the marketplace, then the process to address them can only be genuinely carried out by first strengthening the opposition on the streets. However, this performative resistance allows the palace to turn the budget process into a show. Erdoğan gives out a figure twice a year as if distributing alms. Let us repeat: the problem is not just a matter of figures or percentages. It is certain that the vast majority of the increase provided is a starvation wage for the minimum wage earners and those who depend on it. However, the problem cannot be solved by determining wages every 6 months as if engaging in market speculation. In a country where inflation rises differently every month, wages must also be adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, in a situation where the vast majority of the working population is deprived of the most basic guarantees, a raise in the minimum wage is not a solution, regardless of the amount. On the contrary, pointing to the minimum wage hike as the solution to the entire crisis regarding the value of labor is in the interest of the bosses, not the wage-earning employees. In an atmosphere where the burden of all gains and guarantees—from health to insurance, family support, and transportation, which the Turkish working class fought for over decades—is taken from the bosses and dumped into the salary, and where all public services are transferred to the market, the determined wage cannot be satisfactory at any point." 

"WE NEED TO GROW THE STRUGGLE ON THE STREETS AND IN OUR WORKPLACES"

The statement, which indicated that the raise in question is not realistic, drew attention to the following:

"The fact that it was announced higher than expected is clearly an investment for the local elections. We have experienced enough that these raises will melt away within a month or two. What should really be highlighted is the atmosphere that will define Turkey after the local elections. In addition to reducing the raises to once a year, it seems that we are entering a process where foreign exchange and inflation will be left unchecked starting from April, and taxes collected from the working class will increase manifold. Therefore, from today on, we need to grow the struggle for our most basic rights and humane wages on the streets and in our workplaces."

News Source: 12punto