The Minimum Wage Determination Commission held its first meeting on Wednesday. After the meeting, "Türk-İş" Workers Union Secretary General Pevrul Kavlak made a press statement at Türk-İş Headquarters yesterday.
Kavlak reminded that a 50.51 percent increase was given last year with the increase and the exclusion of the minimum wage from taxes.
Kavlak drew attention to the fact that the second hike, which was given against the price increases, melted away.
Pointing out that the current minimum wage is approximately 183 TL in the daily account, Kavlak stated that this amount is not enough.
"As workers, our demand is that a 'livable wage' be determined together. The first thing to do is to determine the living conditions based on the prices of the day. Article 55 of our Constitution also points to this. Millions of employees and their families, as well as a large part of the society, await the results of these studies with hope. We hope that our decision will meet expectations. It does not cause disappointment. It provides hope for the future. Work brings peace and social peace. As a society and as employees, we need this more than ever," Kavlak said.
“THE EXPLANATIONS OF SOME SECTIONS ARE PROOF THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SLAVES, NOT WORKERS”
Pointing out that the minimum wage should be worthy of human dignity and that the workers can easily make a living, Kavlak underlined that the employees demand a share in the growth rates experienced in the country.
"See, according to the latest official figures, our country grew by 3.9 percent in the third quarter. However, compared to the third quarter of last year, the share of capital in this growth increased from 54.6 percent to 55 percent, while the share of labor in this growth decreased from 29.8 percent to 26.3 percent. While these figures are in the middle, the statements of some capital groups that the minimum wage increase will prevent competition is a proof that they are looking for slaves, not workers, he said.
“TWO-THIRDS OF TAXES ON INCOME AND EARNINGS ARE TAKEN FROM FEES”
Emphasizing tax injustice in his speech, Kavlak stated that employees have an expectation of working on tax.
"While the income tax tariff was 22.9 times the gross minimum wage in 2002, it is only 4.9 times today. Every year, it decreases from the wages of the worker. Wage earners are often described as 'fixed income'. However, with the current tax structure, it should be defined as 'reducing income'. Income taxes of millions of workers and civil servants working in the public and private sectors, especially those with minimum wage, are paid by deducting the source. In accordance with Article 73 of our Constitution, what needs to be done is to collect taxes 'less from those who earn less and more from those who earn more'. However, nearly two-thirds of the tax on income and earnings in Turkey is paid by wage earners," he added.