News that will destroy minimum wage earners – Sözcü

Although wage levels have increased in Türkiye in recent years, a decrease is observed in the actual purchasing power of employees. While the numbers are growing with minimum wage and general salary increases, inflation and the rate of increase in living costs are outpacing nominal earnings. Maintaining current living standards for the working class has taken precedence over the demand for high welfare.

AVERAGE SALARY PROBLEM

The wage system in Türkiye has a structure largely indexed to the minimum wage level. While many salary regulations in the private sector are shaped according to the minimum wage, this leads to the closing of the gap between average wages and the lowest wage.

While in the past years there were significant differences in wages according to profession, experience, seniority and education level, today the wage scale is stuck at the lower limit. The decrease in the income gap between qualified and unqualified workforce is among the factors that negatively affect motivation, productivity and efficiency rates in working life.

MINIMUM WAGE AND HUNGER LIMIT COMPARISON

As of 2026, the net minimum wage is 28 thousand 75 lira. On the other hand, the hunger limit data calculated for a family of four has exceeded the 35 thousand lira threshold as of May.

The constant increase in basic expense items such as fuel, food, rent and bills causes the difference between stable wages and the cost of living to widen throughout the year.

WILL THERE BE A RAISE IN JULY?

According to the column of SGK expert Özgür Erdursun from Dünya Newspaper, it is predicted that the hunger line will continue to rise with the inflation data to be announced for the remaining period of the year. However, in line with the current economic program and the statements from the economic management, the possibility of an increase in the minimum wage in July is considered low. Keeping the minimum wage constant means that wage increases in other sectors will also stop and millions of employees will continue with the same nominal salary until the end of the year.

NET SALARY EFFECT OF TAX BRANCHES

Inflation is not the only factor affecting the purchasing power of employees. Millions of employees who receive salaries based on gross wages experience gradual income losses due to the increase in tax brackets throughout the year. Net income changes between January and December according to gross salary levels are as follows:

Those who receive gross 50 thousand TL: While he earned a net salary of approximately 40 thousand 200 liras at the beginning of the year, his net income decreased to approximately 36 thousand 500 liras at the end of the year.

Those who receive 100 thousand TL gross: Of course, while you receive approximately 75 thousand 900 liras in January, this figure drops to approximately 65 thousand 700 liras in December.

Those who receive 150 thousand TL gross: While its net income was approximately 111 thousand 700 liras at the beginning of the year, it decreased to 95 thousand 400 liras at the end of the year.

Those who receive 200 thousand TL gross: While his net salary is approximately 147 thousand 400 liras at the beginning of the year, it can drop to 114 thousand 800 liras at the end of the year.

Areas from the SSI ceiling: The loss becomes much more evident for employees who earn an income of approximately nine times the minimum wage, which is at the level of the earnings ceiling based on social security premiums. The salary of an employee who earns a net income of approximately 213 thousand 800 liras at the beginning of the year may decrease to approximately 167 thousand liras at the end of the year.

ACHIEVED INFLATION AND YEAR-END TARGETS

Although the economic management plans wage increases according to targeted inflation rates, actual inflation rates stand out in practical application. The year-end inflation target, which was initially anticipated to be 16 percent for 2026, has been exceeded by reaching 16.60 percent in the first five months of the year.

If inflation approaches 30 percent towards the end of the year, the real value of the wage increases made at the beginning of the year will be eroded before the end of the year. In line with these data, making an interim regulation in July stands out as a necessity to protect the purchasing power of employees rather than an economic choice.