Critical statement on minimum wage from the Minister of Labor

While Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek wanted future salary increases to take into account target inflation instead of the past, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made a statement, pointing to the past. inflation.

Drawing attention to the damage caused to the population by the recent high inflation, Işıkhan gave the message that they will use the minimum wage negotiations in December to ease the burden of inflation.

Işıkhan’s speech was interpreted as the government will propose a rate increase that takes into account past high inflation in the minimum wage negotiations that took place before the elections.

MESSAGE AT THE TISK MEETING

Addressing entrepreneurs at the Consultation Meeting on Working Life organized by the Confederation of Turkish Employers’ Associations (TİSK), Minister Işıkhan argued that their first priority in the economy is to raise the well-being of all citizens to the highest possible level and said: “Reducing the burden of inflation is our common goal. “Therefore, we can say that we have an important agenda to ‘lighten the burden’ on the minimum wage at the end of the year,” he stated.

Işıkhan stated that they want to be in consultation, understanding and cooperation with the employee and employer parties in the negotiations on the minimum wage and said: “Social dialogue is a key element for the successful conclusion of the minimum wage increase process that will be valid in 2024, which will begin in December. “By working together we can strengthen our business world, make our workers smile and contribute to the economic development of our country,” she said.

THE EMPLOYER ALSO FOUND THAT THE WORKER’S TAXES WILL BE HIGH

TİSK President Özgür Burak Akkol also gave important messages to Minister Işıkhan regarding the high tax brackets paid by workers, the informal economy and collective agreements.

Noting that employers are also negatively affected by the irregularity in tax brackets complained about by the unions, Akkol said: “There is a need to work on income tax rates. “While we understand the sensitivity of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the fact that the majority of our employees are in the 27 percent tax bracket in the sixth month increases the demand for increases in both salaries and minimum wages” , said.

UNREALISTIC DEMANDS ARRIVE

Stating that the flexibility included in the government’s medium-term program will contribute to greater employment of youth and women, Akkol made a statement on the collective bargaining process that began in the metal sector: “We are facing demands for little increase realistic.”

Stating that an increase of up to 140 percent was requested for the first 6 months and up to 400 percent for social issues, Akkol reiterated his call for collective agreements to be made for longer periods instead of two years and called for Minister Işıkhan to provide more deterrence. and effective measures for companies that employ unregistered workers, and demanded high penalties.