Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Isikhan announced that Turkiye’s minimum wage will rise to TL 22,104 ($630.36) in 2025, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year. The decision followed the fourth meeting of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, held on Tuesday.
On Tuesday (Ankara local time), Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah published that the commission, which previously convened on December 10, 16, and 19, included representatives from the Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-is) for workers and the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK) for employers. However, Turk-is boycotted the final meeting in protest.
Currently, the gross monthly minimum wage stands at approximately TL 20,000 ($577), with a net amount of TL 17,002 after deductions. While Turk-İs had demanded a substantial 70% increase to TL 29,583, the government’s decision exceeded market expectations, which anticipated a 25% hike.
This year, Turkiye skipped a midyear minimum wage adjustment despite high inflation rates. Inflation, which has been a key driver of wage increases in recent years, peaked earlier but began to ease in 2024, dropping to 48.58% in October, according to official data.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Turkiye to avoid inflationary wage hikes. IMF mission chief Jim Walsh recommended prioritizing targeted social support programs over across-the-board wage increases to aid low-income households effectively.
Bd-pratidin/ English/ Jisan
