YENİ Party alleges government preparing regional minimum wage

Gökhan Günaydın, the Deputy Chairman of Turkey's YENİ Party, delivered a sharp critique of the government's economic policies, asserting that Turkey ranks as the fifth most inflationary country worldwide. Speaking at the "Labor Gathering Against Policies of Consumption and Impoverishment," Günaydın conveyed greetings from imprisoned opposition figures, emphasizing the need for solidarity in the face of adversity.

Günaydın pointed to the stark reality of poverty in Turkey, stating that around 40 million people live below the hunger line. He detailed that the hunger threshold for a four-person family is 37,000 Turkish lira, while the poverty line stands at 122,000 lira. In contrast, the current minimum wage, set at 28,000 lira since January 1, 2026, has already lost significant purchasing power, dropping to 23,000 lira and expected to decline further by year's end.

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They are preparing to announce a regional minimum wage. That is, they say, let a worker living in Istanbul receive 28,000 lira. Istanbul is expensive. But there are cheaper provinces. 28,000 lira is beyond their reach. Therefore, let's give them less minimum wage, they say.

The YENİ Party official expressed concern over the government's alleged plan to introduce a regional minimum wage. "They are preparing to announce a regional minimum wage," Günaydın stated. He explained this would mean workers in expensive cities like Istanbul would receive the 28,000 lira minimum wage, while those in less costly provinces would be paid less. This, he argued, is a departure from the party's proposal to revise the minimum wage every six months during periods of high inflation.

Günaydın further elaborated on the economic hardships, noting that 17 million pensioners are living below the hunger line, with the lowest pension set at 23,552 lira. He described the government's economic strategy as a policy that burdens workers and farmers, leading to a "policy of impoverishment," a "policy of capital transfer," and ultimately, a "policy of selling off the country."

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This is not a destiny. This is a policy of impoverishment. This is also a policy of capital transfer. It is a policy of making the country cheaper. And it is a policy of selling the country.