As the economic crisis deepens in Turkey, the people most affected by this crisis are the citizens.
With the decline in purchasing power, record-breaking inflation, the increase in the exchange rate and the incessant price hikes, the households were now puzzled about what to do.
Against the economic impasse of the low-income group, the government put forward the minimum wage increase.
It has become a matter of debate whether the minimum wage increase, which is planned to be made in July, will be sufficient.
The minimum wage increase is expected to be made in response to the doubling of expenditures in the last few years, from kitchen expenses to housing, from transportation to clothes shopping, from bills.
Economists who spoke to the National Newspaper on the subject emphasized that inflation, which erodes the purchasing power of the minimum wage earner, should be prevented.
“PURCHASING POWER OF THE MINIMUM WAGE IS MELTED”
Pointing out the minimum wage increase that is expected to be made in July, Economist Assoc. Dr. Oğuz Demir said, "Currently, the purchasing power of the minimum wage has eroded. That's why we need to raise the minimum wage. It is not correct to think that inflation will decrease or costs will increase. Millions of people living on the minimum wage do not have the purchasing power today, so the minimum wage hike in July should be done properly. While the reasons for the minimum wage hike stand before us, the government should also abandon the economic policies it has determined by circumventing inflation. If serious economic measures are not taken, it will be difficult to find a solution."
"THE THING TO BE FEAR SHOULD NOT BE A MINIMUM WAGE RISE"
"If the government does not want discussions such as the minimum wage increase to be constantly on the agenda, it should fight inflation effectively. The high inflation we are facing now is not due to the demands of the minimum wage. Citizens of the minimum wage or low income group are not in a position to go and buy a house, car or purchase luxury goods. The minimum wage is currently trying to meet their basic needs. In other words, the cause of inflation is not demand, the main reason is cost inflation. As long as we cannot control the costs, foreign exchange comes out and this causes inflation. The thing to be afraid of here should not be a minimum wage hike. Serious economic policies are needed," Demir added.
“WE MAY FACE HUGE WAVES OF UNEMPLOYMENT”
Economist Şevket Apuhan stated that serious measures should be taken against economic problems.
"Seeing the minimum wage as a way out and constantly increasing it would be a disaster for Turkey. We may face huge waves of unemployment. The important thing is to increase the purchasing power of money. Increases in the inflation rate without increasing the purchasing power of the money we have and without curbing inflation will cause the picture to worsen. Let the diesel be 15 liras instead of 30, bread can be bought for 2 liras, not 4 liras, and the minimum wage remains the same. Which one is better for the minimum wage? Continuous raises are a way that governments, who cannot find a cure for inflation, have to choose, and it will not do any good for the country or for those who work," Apuhan said.