Recent developments regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase have attracted the attention of tens of thousands of workers and minimum wage earners. The government will announce the 2025 minimum wage increase to the public after three meetings to be held by the labor and employer sectors. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan made statements regarding the new minimum wage increase. Workers are eagerly awaiting to learn the amount of the new minimum wage increase and the date of the first meeting. So, what is the current status of the 2025 minimum wage increase? How much will the 2025 minimum wage be, and when will the first commission meeting take place? Here are the recent news on the minimum wage increase agenda… The amount of the minimum wage increase is being questioned by citizens before the first Minimum Wage Determination Commission meeting. Millions of minimum wage workers curious about the possibilities of an increase anticipate the latest news. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan had made statements regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase. Lastly, the statements made by Minister Şimşek and CBRT Governor Fatih Karahan regarding the new minimum wage increase have drawn attention. So, what will be the amount of the 2025 minimum wage increase? When will the commission convene?Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek evaluated the situation at a meeting organized by the International Finance Institute. Minister Şimşek emphasized that their priorities include ensuring price stability, “We have made significant progress in several areas,” he said. When asked about the minimum wage, Şimşek said, “The minimum wage is determined as a result of negotiations between unions, employers, and the government; it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.” Underlining the need to maintain competition in the minimum wage, Şimşek used the expression “I am sure that unions, employers, and the government will be sensitive to maintaining the competitiveness at a certain level.” According to a report by Bloomberg, Karahan was also asked about the minimum wage during an investor meeting. Karahan stated that an increase of around 25% would be compatible with the inflation outlook. The amount of the minimum wage increase is eagerly awaited by millions of workers. In January 2024, the minimum wage was increased by 49.11%, reaching 17,002 Turkish Liras. Minister Işıkhan’s statements before the new minimum wage increase indicated that a figure would be determined with the principle of not letting inflation overwhelm the citizens. Minister Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labor and Social Security, made important statements regarding the minimum wage. Minister Işıkhan stated that the Minimum Wage Determination Commission takes into account many variables such as the current inflation rate, macroeconomic balances, and purchasing power. Expressing their goal of protecting the citizens’ welfare by producing permanent prosperity solutions, as President Erdoğan often emphasizes, Işıkhan said, “We will proceed the same way we did last year in December. I wish for an agreement to be reached on a wage level that will not be overwhelmed by inflation and will maintain the citizens’ purchasing power.” Minister Işıkhan also emphasized that they play a mediating role in the demands of workers and employers, stating, “If there is a similar development this year as there was last year with Türk-İş bringing workers, we would be pleased to welcome the workers. Workers are important stakeholders for us.” Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan answered questions regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase. Minister Işıkhan stated that they will start the wage marathon in December and determine the minimum wage for 2025. Accordingly, the first meeting for the 2025 minimum wage increase will be held in December. The minimum wage was raised to a net amount of 17,002 Turkish Liras with a 49.11% increase in January. Economists are divided on the issue of the minimum wage increase. It has been debated for some time whether the minimum wage increase will be based on the year-end inflation or the target inflation. Some economists argue that the minimum wage increase could be over 30%. It is also among the estimates that the private sector will remain around a 20% increase. Here are the possibilities; If there is a 41.5% increase according to the Medium-Term Program (MTP), it will exceed 24,000 Turkish Liras. If there is a 17.5% increase based on the 2025 inflation target in the MTP, it will rise to 19,975 Turkish Liras. A 21% increase according to the upper band of 2025 will reach 20,570 Turkish Liras. When a 25% increase is applied per the Central Bank’s target, it will reach 21,252 Turkish Liras. If there is a 30% increase in the minimum wage, it will rise to 22,102 Turkish Liras. If there is a 40% increase, the new minimum wage will reach 23,802. At a 45% increase, which is the market expectation, it will be 24,650 Turkish Liras.