First Meeting on Minimum Wage Tomorrow
The bargaining process for the eagerly awaited minimum wage increase, anticipated by millions of workers, begins tomorrow. The Minimum Wage Determination Commission, composed of representatives from labor, employers, and the government, will hold its first meeting at 4:00 PM to determine the wage that will be effective in 2025.
This process directly affects approximately 7 million workers and indirectly impacts the entire labor market and society. The meeting will be hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The employer side will be represented by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), while the labor side will be represented by the largest confederation, TÜRK-İŞ.
The demands of TÜRK-İŞ are eagerly awaited. TÜRK-İŞ, which participates in the negotiations on behalf of workers, has not yet shared its demands regarding the new minimum wage with the public. The statement by General President Ergün Atalay, indicating that the inflation realized in 2024 and the expected inflation for 2025 are not acceptable for the minimum wage increase, draws attention.
Representing employers, TİSK holds the view that the minimum wage should be set at a balanced level that preserves employment and competitiveness. TİSK emphasizes the importance of ensuring economic stability.
How does the minimum wage determination process work? According to legal regulations, the minimum wage is determined by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which consists of a total of 15 members, with five representatives from labor, five from employers, and five from the government. The commission meets on dates set in December and makes decisions by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the side of the chairman is considered to have the majority.
Currently, the net minimum wage for a worker is applied as 17,002 liras. The gross minimum wage is set at 20,002.50 liras, with the total cost to the employer calculated at 23,502.94 liras. This cost includes not only the gross wage but also social security premiums and the employer's unemployment insurance fund.