New minimum wage ‘below poverty line’
A FAMILY of four needs at least 9,330TL a month just to eat healthily – more than the official net monthly minimum wage of 8,600TL – according to the latest “breadline” study by the Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Trade Union (KTAMS).
The union based the figure on official inflation data for July by calculating how much a family consisting of an adult male, adult female, a teenager aged between 15 and 19 and a child aged between four and six would need to spend each month to maintain a healthy diet.
“Despite the increase as of July 1, 2022, the minimum wage is still below the breadline,” a statement from KTAMS said.
“The high price hikes particularly for
electricity, fuel, bottled gas, bread, milk and dairy products have almost crippled the people.
“Despite the persistent requests from our unions, the 56.76 per cent cost of living increase in the first six months of 2022 was not reflected in the minimum wage.
“In addition, since the necessary legal regulation has not been made, minimum wage earners are suffering twice as much because the minimum wage is being taxed.
“Our requests are to make legal adjustments to increase the minimum wage in line with the cost of living, to update the minimum wage determination criteria, and to change the structure of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission.
“In order to prevent the exploitation of private sector employees by leaving them at the mercy of their bosses, a legal regulation that will also enable the private sector to be unionised should be sent to Parliament as soon as possible.”
The Labour and Social Security Ministry’s website states the minimum wage
is determined as the amount of income that is “sufficient” for workers to provide for
themselves along with their spouse and “three or five children”.
The wage is expected to be enough to pay for a family’s basic nutrition, housing, clothing, lighting and heating, transportation, health, education, culture, recreation, and entertainment needs, according to the ministry.