Public workers' wage increase will increase to 39 percent

Following workers' protests and strikes, the raise was raised to 24 percent under the Public Framework Protocol. While the unions' initial demand for a 50 percent raise was 24 percent, the 24 percent increase, plus an additional increase to base wages, will bring the raise to 39 percent for the first six months. Workers' responses to the offer will be announced this week.

7-MONTH PERIOD

More than 600,000 public workers have been waiting seven months for the wage and benefits increases determined by the public framework protocol to be finalized. The process began with a draft proposal submitted by the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (Türk-İş) and the Confederation of Hak-İş Trade Unions (Hak-İş) on February 27th. Months later, the government came to the table with a 16% offer. As workers sought their rights through a series of actions, including work stoppages and workplace refusals, the second offer was revised to 17%, and the third to 24%. Following the 24% offer, Türk-İş Deputy Chairman Ramazan Ağar made a statement: “Workplace-specific issues are very important. I believe we will get somewhere if we resolve these issues.” Hak-İş Deputy Chairman Devlet Sert also stated, “In the coming period, we will have drawn this framework with an understanding that will ensure the happiness and peace of mind of all our employees.”

SEYYANEN TIME

Unions affiliated with Türk-İş reportedly announced a 24 percent raise for workers, a reduction of daily gross wages below 1,400 TL to this level, and a 40 TL raise for wages above. The 3 percent or 7 percent raise, depending on the nature of the business, the 24 percent raise, the 24 percent raise, the 24 percent raise, and the 3.8 percent inflation adjustment will all add up to a raise of approximately 39 percent for the first six months. Increases will be applied at the inflation rate for the second and subsequent six months.

A 50 percent raise was requested with welfare benefits.

The draft, jointly prepared by the Türk-İş and Hak-İş confederations, called for a daily minimum wage increase of 1,800 Turkish Lira, followed by a 50 percent raise for the first six months of 2025 and a 25 percent raise for each of the following two periods, as well as a 10 percent welfare share. Türk-İş Deputy Chairman Ramazan Ağar stated that they would evaluate the new proposal today. The framework protocol for public workers is expected to be finalized this week.