The latest information on the 2025 minimum wage increase has started to be investigated by tens of thousands of workers and minimum wage employees. The government will announce the 2025 minimum wage increase to the public after 3 meetings to be held by the labor and employer sectors. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan made statements regarding the new minimum wage increase. Workers are now focused on how much the new minimum wage increase will be and the date of the first meeting. So, how much will the 2025 minimum wage increase be? When is the first minimum wage meeting? The amount of the minimum wage increase is being questioned by citizens ahead of the first Minimum Wage Determination Commission meeting. Millions of minimum wage employees curious about the possibilities of an increase are eager to know the latest updates. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan had made a statement regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase. Lastly, the statements of Minister Şimşek and CBRT President Fatih Karahan about the new minimum wage increase drew attention. So, how much will the 2025 minimum wage increase be? When will the commission convene?

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek evaluated at a meeting organized by the International Finance Institute. Minister Şimşek emphasized that their priority is to ensure price stability, saying, “We made significant progress in some areas.” Regarding a question about the minimum wage, Şimşek stated, “The minimum wage is determined as a result of negotiations between labor unions, employers, and the government; at this stage, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment.” Emphasizing the need to maintain competition in the minimum wage, Şimşek used the phrase, “I am sure that labor unions, employers, and the government will be sensitive to maintaining competitiveness at a certain level.” According to Bloomberg’s report, Karahan was asked about the minimum wage at an investor meeting. Karahan mentioned that an increase around 25% would be in line with the inflation outlook. The amount of the minimum wage increase is eagerly awaited by millions of employees. In January 2024, the minimum wage increased by 49.11%, reaching 17,002 liras. Minister Işıkhan, in statements related to the upcoming minimum wage increase, expressed that a figure would be determined following the principle of not burdening citizens with inflation. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made crucial statements about the minimum wage. Işıkhan stated that the Minimum Wage Determination Commission considers various variables such as current inflation rate, macroeconomic balances, and purchasing power. As frequently emphasized by President Erdoğan, Işıkhan said they aimed to protect citizens’ welfare by generating permanent welfare solutions, stating, “We will proceed in the same way this year as we did last December. I wish to reach an agreement on a wage level that will not burden with inflation and will preserve citizens’ purchasing power.” Işıkhan also stressed that they play a mediation role among worker and employer demands, saying, “If, as with Türk-İş last December, a similar development occurs with workers this year, we would be pleased to welcome the workers. Workers are significant stakeholders for us.”

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan answered questions regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase. Işıkhan stated that they would start the wage increase marathon in December and determine the minimum wage valid for 2025. Accordingly, the first meeting regarding the 2025 minimum wage increase will be held in December. The minimum wage was raised to 17,002 liras with a 49.11% increase made in January. Economists are currently divided on the topic of the minimum wage increase. There’s been discussion for some time on whether the minimum wage increase should be based on year-end inflation or target inflation. Some economists argue that the minimum wage increase could exceed 30%, while predictions also include a rate around 20% for the private sector. Here are the possibilities: If an increase of 41.5% is made according to the Mid-Term Program (MTP) inflation target, it will exceed 24,000 liras. If an increase corresponding to the 17.5% 2025 inflation target in the MTP is implemented, it will rise to 19,975 liras. If a 21% increase in line with the upper band of the 2025 inflation is made, it will reach 20,570 liras. If an increase is made equivalent to the 25% target set by the Central Bank, it will reach 21,252 liras. In the case of a 30% minimum wage increase, it will rise to 22,102 liras. If a 40% increase is applied, the new minimum wage will reach 23,802 liras. Lastly, if the market expectations of a 45% increase are met, it will reach 24,650 liras.