Government offers 14+9 percent pay rise to civil servants

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The government has presented its initial offer in the collective bargaining negotiations that concern approximately 4.5 million civil servants and 2.5 million retired civil servants.

Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, has proposed an increase of 14 percent for the first six months of 2024, and 9 percent for the second six months, The pay rise offered for 2025 is 6 percent for the first six months, and 5 percent for the second six months.

In his statement, Işıkhan mentioned that discussions have taken place with unions and confederations on 967 points, and the process will continue until August 22.

He reminded that the minimum wage for civil servants has been raised to 22,017 lira as of July, and the minimum pension for retired civil servants has been increased to 9,876 lira.

"Cumulative increase of 54 percent"

Işıkhan explained that the increases made in January and July were provided as additional welfare payments without considering inflation differences. He stated, "Taking into account the Central Bank's inflation forecast for the year 2023, we foresee that an inflation difference of around 25 percent will be given in January 2024 to public employees in addition to the pay rise in this period."

Işıkhan expressed hope that the current collective bargaining offer could be signed with stakeholders in consensus and that they intend to conclude the negotiations in agreement by August 21.

He highlighted that collective bargaining agreements encompass not only financial rights but also social rights, and today's proposals only cover the financial aspects.

Reactions from union confederations

Following Işıkhan's statements, Ali Yalçın, the General President of Memur-Sen, stated, "It is not possible for us to endorse the received proposal. Our recommendation is for the proposal to be revised."

Yalçın emphasized that the received proposal being 10 points below the Central Bank's inflation estimate is unacceptable.

Yalçın noted that public employees are struggling with rent hikes and said, "There is a process ahead, and the proposal should be revised. Public employees are facing difficulties with rents. We were expecting a proposal taking this into account. We have not heard any sentences yet regarding the Eid bonus and other social rights."

KESK to take industrial action

Şükran Kablan, the Co-Chairperson of the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (KESK), announced that they will go on strike on August 16 in reaction to the government's wage proposal.

We can not accept this proposal in any way. We will not accept a collective bargaining agreement in which rent, spouse, and child support are not addressed. We address the entire public; come, let us be the true authority at this table, and express our views. On August 16, KESK is going on strike," Kablan said.

(HA/PE)