Social Security Expert İsa Karakaş Announces: Will There Be a Raise in the Minimum Wage? / Vezir Agency
Anticipation of New Wage Increase Rates and Minimum Wage Adjustments
Currently, government officials and retired individuals are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the upcoming wage increase rates. The topic of raising the minimum wage has become a matter of widespread interest and discussion across the country.
Social Security Expert İsa Karakaş provided insightful evaluations during interviews with TGRT News’ Yasemin Bozkurt and Yaprak Hırka Yıldız. He emphasized that, despite ongoing discussions, the minimum wage remains insufficient to meet the living costs of many citizens, and he projected that adjustments might be on the horizon.
Expert Insights on the Minimum Wage and Living Costs
Karakaş explained, “There is a broad consensus among the public regarding the minimum wage, primarily because the latest hunger threshold has surpassed 25,000 TL. It is expected to reach approximately 27,000 TL by July. However, the current minimum wage stands at around 22,000 TL, which is far from the actual living expenses faced by citizens. In cities like Istanbul and Ankara, where rental costs are particularly high, it becomes nearly impossible to make ends meet with this wage. This discrepancy is problematic not only legally but also from a human rights perspective, as the constitution mandates that the minimum wage should enable a worker to live decently with their family. The hunger threshold only accounts for food expenses, neglecting other critical costs such as rent, education, healthcare, and family needs. How can a worker sustain a decent life with a wage of 22,000 TL?”
The Impact of Minimum Wage on the Broader Workforce
“Approximately 50% of workers earn the minimum wage,” stated Karakaş, highlighting the widespread influence of minimum wage policies. He elaborated, “This issue doesn’t only affect minimum wage earners; it impacts the entire workforce because private sector wages are often set based on the minimum wage level. When the minimum wage remains stagnant, it creates ripple effects that harm all employees, including white-collar workers. There is a common argument that increasing the minimum wage could lead to inflation. However, every July, civil servant salaries and retiree pensions are adjusted, affecting over 16 million retirees. Do these increases not contribute to inflation? Why is it that only the minimum wage increase is blamed for inflation? This reasoning lacks scientific and academic validity and does not reflect the true economic dynamics.”
Predictions for Future Wage Policies and Economic Developments
“A significant consensus is expected to emerge by September,” Karakaş predicted. He noted, “The government is aware of this situation. AK Party deputies and members have firsthand experience of the citizens’ reactions during their field visits. The current economic realities are evident to all. The government is awaiting the start of the interest rate reduction process, anticipated around June. If positive developments occur in June and July, a substantial consensus could be reached by September, leading to a ‘correction’ in the minimum wage. The current minimum wage has already deviated considerably from what can truly be considered a minimum living wage.”
Closing Remarks
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