The President of the Turkish Confederation of Labour (Türk-İş), Atalay, emphasized that there are 4 months left for the minimum wage negotiations, stating, “When you start talking, landlords and markets continue to raise prices.” He also reiterated their demands for a change in the law regarding the difference in retirement pensions.

The agenda of the workers revolves around the minimum wage and the difference in retirement pensions between 2024-2025. There is curiosity about whether a regulation will be made for the retirement pension difference in 2024-2025.

Ergün Atalay, the President of Türk-İş, said, “We still have 2.5 months until the new year. If the law doesn’t change, we will suffer losses, but if the law changes, there won’t be a problem. Our request is that this is unsustainable.” Atalay held a press conference at the confederation headquarters in Ankara, to announce the “Labour Meeting Rally” they will organize on October 20th. Atalay stated that the rally will address the difficulties faced by workers, with the slogan being ‘we are struggling, we can’t make ends meet’.

MINIMUM WAGE Atalay also made statements regarding the minimum wage. He mentioned that the negotiations for the minimum wage will begin in the upcoming days and workers will receive their wages on either the 1st or 15th of February next year. “There are 4 months left. Therefore, when you start discussing the minimum wage 4 months in advance, landlords and markets continue to raise prices.” Atalay expressed that, as in previous terms, this time too, minimum wage workers will be included in the minimum wage determination commission. The President of Türk-İş also emphasized that they do not accept an alternative to severance pay.