CHP leader Özgür Özel demanded that the minimum wage be given an inflation increase. Özel said, “Let’s give the 28 percent that this inflation has melted in these 6 months at least above 17 thousand liras and the minimum wage should be at least 22,500, I think 25 thousand liras.”
The expectation of millions of employees for an interim increase in the minimum wage fell through. The government announced that there will be no interim increase in the minimum wage in July. Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan said, “There will be no increase in the minimum wage. We stated this last December and the indicators are very positive. God willing, we will come together in December to determine the minimum wage.”
CHP calls for an increase in minimum wage
Although government representatives insist that there will be no interim increase in the minimum wage, the opposition thinks differently. CHP leader Özgür Özel reiterates his demand for an increase in the minimum wage at every opportunity. Özel said, “If the minimum wage does not increase, we will hold a rally.”
Özel calls for “minimum wage to be 25 thousand TL”
Making a new statement on the issue, Özel demanded that the minimum wage be made 25 thousand liras.
Answering İsmail Küçükkaya’s questions on Halk TV, Özel said the following:
“We said that we will bring the demands of the citizens, our suggestions on this issue and a macro solution proposal on this issue. Let’s list 4 demands. If they listen to us, let’s raise the lowest pension to the minimum wage, which is 17 thousand liras for today. Let’s give the minimum wage an inflation increase, that is, let’s give the 28 percent that inflation has eroded in these 6 months at least above 17 thousand liras and the minimum wage should be at least 22,500, I think 25 thousand liras. The base price of tea should be 25 liras. The base price of wheat should be 15 thousand liras. The support received by the farmer should be 1 percent of the GNP, let’s ensure this.”
