Highest ever minimum wage in US dollars still lacks purchasing power

The minimum wage in Turkey was increased by 34 percent in the second half of 2023. At its highest level in USD, the lowest wage still has weak purchasing power due to the economic crisis and high inflation.

İstanbul

Highest ever minimum wage in US dollars still lacks purchasing power

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The Minimum Wage Determination Commission raised the minimum wage from 8,506 lira to 11,402 lira (the gross monthly wage at 13,414 lira) in the third meeting of the commission held to determine the minimum wage rise for the second half of 2023.

The minimum wage was increased by 34 percent. The new wage which will be valid starting July 1st equals 482 US dollars at the current rate.

At the highest level in USD

With the latest rise, the minimum wage has reached its highest level in US dollars.

The minimum wage in Turkey has ranged between 263 dollars and 442 dollars in the last 18 years.

This wage was equal to 426 dollars at 1603 lira in 2018, 379 dollars at 2,020 lira in 2019, 391 dollars at 2,324 lira in 2020, 383 dollars at 2,825 lira in 2021, 316 dollars at 4,253 lira in 2022, and at 360 dollars at 8,506 lira since January 2023.

Even if the minimum wage rises to a level where it is the highest so far in US dollars, the purchasing power of a minimum wage earner drops day by day due to the economic crisis and high inflation, especially in the last couple of years.

A popular renting portal, Sahibinden.com, shows that the average monthly rent for a flat to be newly rented in İstanbul was 1,963 lira in 2019 while the same has reached 15,847 lira as of May 2023.

Minister announces the wage increase

Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of Labor talked to the reporters after the commission meeting where he thanked TÜRK-İŞ, the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions, and TİSK, the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations for their cooperation in the talks. He said that they tried to adjust the minimum wage so as to please the workers, and also to protect the employment rates.

Işıkhan also announced that the subsidy given for the minimum wage, which was 400 lira in the first six months of the year, will be 500 lira for the second half of the year.

Türk-İş: "Inflation should be contained"

Another statement came from Türk-İş President Ergün Atalay. Expressing his hope that inflation will be brought under control, he welcomed the new minimum wage.

TİSK Chairperson Özgür Burak Akkol, on the other hand, said, "There was an agreement about increasing the minimum wage for the second half of the year. Our Minister was able to give the good news quickly. We are also glad about this. The workers, the employers, and the state constitute an inseparable whole. I wish to thank you once again for the 500 lira subsidy for the minimum wage. Now our focus will be on the wealth of our country and the other issues of our working life."

AKP promised 500 dollars in the elections

In a live TV program on May 9, Vedat Bilgin, the former Minister of Labor, had promised that the minimum wage would be raised to a level equal to 500 dollars.

500 US dollars is equal to approximately 11 thousand 800 lira at the current rate and a 38 percent increase would be necessary to bring the minimum wage to this level.

The breadline at 10 thousand 362 lira

According to the last data announced by Türk-İş, the breadline which is defined as the expenses that a four-member family has to make in order to feed themselves in a healthy, balanced and sufficient way is at the level of 10 thousand 362 lira.

The poverty line which includes the clothing, accomodation, transportation, education, health and similar expenses in addition to food expenses is 33 thousand 752 lira for a four-member family.

The cost of living for a single worker is 13 thousand 439 lira.

(VC/HA)

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