The government has raised the minimum wage to a net of ₺15,750 per month to address the rise in the inflation rate.

The gross minimum wage is set at ₺18,103

The decision to raise the minimum wage to ₺15,750 per month was approved by a majority vote on Wednesday following a three-and-a half hour meeting between representatives of employers, workers and the Minister of Labour and Social Security Hasan Taçoy.

The workers’ representative on the minimum wage assessment commission rejected the new figure claiming that it fell short of meeting the rise in the cost-of-living in the country.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security Hasan Taçoy who spoke after the meeting defended the new minimum wage, stating that it was the closest raise they could make to meet the rise in the cost-of-living.

Thanking all the representatives, Taçoy said, “We have set the new minimum wage at a gross of ₺18,103 and a net of ₺15,750. This is a figure rounded up a little above the rise in the cost-of-living determined by the government. We shall work towards achieving economic stability over the next 6 months,” he said.

Taçoy also touched upon premium incentives to businesses that hired up to 10 employees.

He said that the government promised to provide this incentive to small businesses, producers, fishers, farmers and animal breeders.

The head of HÜR-İŞ Ahmet Serdaroğlu who represents the workers’ on the commission argued that contrary the minister’s claims, the increase did not meet the rise in the cost of living.

He said that they will be objecting to the new figure and called on workers to support action to be taken by the trade union once the objection is filed.

The representative of the Cyprus Turkish Employers Union Metin Arhun for his part said that the minimum wage was equivalent to £480 which was 39 per cent higher than the raise made to the minimum wage in Türkiye.

Arhun also argued that it was necessary to audit businesses following this rise.