Ali Babacan: We haven’t Promised 420 Euros of Minimum Wage

Former Vice Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy from Gaziantep, Ali Babacan was hosted on state channel TRT Haber (TRT News) last night and replied to question regarding increase in minimum wage promised during AKP's electoral campaign announced on billboards.

Babacan saying "We didn't say minimum wage will be 420 euros (1,300 liras)", stated that minimum wage is set by commission.

"Babacan explained the structure of the commission as follows: "There are both employers and employees in the commission, they discuss matters together but government's opinion is very influential. We had announced that we will put forward a proposal to set minimum wage as 420 euros."

Babacan said on TRT on October 28 that, "We said minimum wage is a matter that needs to be talked with employers. We saw that based on the expectation created and the discussions between employers and employees, 420 euros is manageable from employers' standpoint. It will be talked in further detail in December.

In July the raise was 17 euros

Minimum wage increased to 330 euros from 313 euros by July 1 raise.
During the election period, AKP had frequently used raise to minimum wage promise. While Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan give the promises, AKP members in charge of economy said the commission will decide on that.

Davutoğlu: We are raising it to 420 euros

PM Davutoğlu on October 7 at meeting in Manisa province said, "We are raising minimum wage to 420 euros in the upcoming period. Minimum wage will increase in accordance with the level of danger threshold of the work increases. We will employ subcontractors".

Şimşek: It will be implemented if commission agrees

Economy Minister Mehmet Şimşek in response to a question as to when the raise will be implemented said on October 16, "If Minimum Wage Fixing Commission says may minimum wage become 420 euros as of January 1, then it materializes in January. If they prefer a two-phased system, then new wage will be implemented in July".

Erdoğan: 420 euros on January 1

President Erdoğan said on October 22 at General Assembly of Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions that minimum wage will be increased to 420 euros to be effective as of January 1. (HK/TK)

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