The Second Meeting of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission Concludes: Was the Figure Discussed?

The second meeting of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which is working on establishing the minimum wage to be effective in 2025, has been completed. The commission, composed of representatives from workers, employers, and the government, continues discussions on the determination of the new minimum wage, as the rate of increase is eagerly awaited. Ramazan Ağar, Deputy Chairman of Türk-İş, stated after the meeting that the employer side has not yet presented a figure.

In the markets, an increase in the range of 30%-40% is expected for the minimum wage, while negotiations for the wage raise, directly affecting 7 million workers, are anticipated to conclude with the third meeting. During the discussions, representatives from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Trade, and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) shared economic data and reports with the commission. However, a concrete figure has not been mentioned yet.

No progress was made in the meeting; a resolution is expected in the third meeting. The commission held its first meeting on December 10 and met for the second time today, hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and ten minutes, with no figure being determined. Ramazan Ağar noted that there was no announcement of a figure by the employer and government representatives, stating, "We said let's bring these figures to the public agenda and draw a road map accordingly, but no figure was announced."

Ağar expressed his belief that the process would not be prolonged and would conclude in the third meeting. No figure was mentioned in the first meeting either. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated that economic indicators are being meticulously evaluated in the process of determining the minimum wage, and they hope for a fair wage to be established.

Wage negotiations continue. Türk-İş Deputy Chairman Ağar emphasized that the wages set in previous years were not well-received even before the meetings concluded, stating, "As worker representatives, we said that it is not possible to live on the current minimum wage. We reiterated in these meetings that people cannot cover their rent, kitchens, and children's needs. It is clear that we have no enforcement power."

Ağar mentioned that the Ministry of Labor would announce the date for the third meeting next week and urged the media not to pressure employers or government representatives to disclose figures. He stressed the sensitivity of the process by saying, "We are not the party providing money; on the contrary, we are the ones asking."

Hope for a fair wage determination. In the first meeting, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated that they are evaluating economic indicators and hope to set a fair minimum wage that considers the satisfaction of both workers and employers. Minister Işıkhan expressed that criteria such as inflation rate, citizens' purchasing power, and economic growth are being analyzed in detail.

A clear conclusion is expected in the next session of the minimum wage negotiations, which affect a broad segment of society. In determining the minimum wage, it is aimed to achieve a consensus on a figure compatible with economic realities by evaluating mutual proposals from the parties involved.