Turkish Public Workers Reject 'Poverty Wage' Offer, Call for Strike Amid Soaring Living Costs

Ankara – Public sector workers in Turkey are expressing fierce opposition to the government's proposed 17% wage increase under the Public Collective Bargaining Framework Protocol (KÇP). With negotiations prolonged and their demands unmet, workers are now vocally urging major labor confederations Türk-İş and Hak-İş to declare an immediate strike. The rising cost of living, marked by skyrocketing rents and basic food prices, is pushing workers to the brink of organized action.

"Not a Poverty Wage, But a Living Wage!"

Public workers are deeply discontent with the 17% wage offer, which they deem insufficient in the face of rampant inflation. They highlight that their wages have been severely eroded, citing alarming increases in essential goods and services. In Istanbul, for instance, the price of bread has reportedly surged to 15 Turkish Liras, while rental costs have doubled. Workers emphasize that even the increases in natural gas and electricity prices alone have made living conditions unbearable.

Eroding Purchasing Power: "We're Counting Bread Now"

The deepening economic hardship is starkly illustrated by workers' own testimonies. Many members of unions like Demiryol-İş and Harb-İş describe their struggles as intolerable. One worker lamented, "We gave up on buying homes and cars; now we are counting bread." Another powerfully stated, "We want to live like human beings while doing our jobs. This raise imposed on us is another name for destitution."

Official data from the Presidency underscores this severe decline in purchasing power: In 2002, public workers could purchase an average of 6,747 loaves of bread with their salaries, but today, that figure has plummeted to just 2,500 loaves. Furthermore, major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have witnessed staggering rent increases ranging from 110% to 138% over the past two years.

"Time for Action": Unions Urged to Declare Strike from July 15th

Frustrated by the stalled negotiations, workers are demanding swift action from their unions. They are calling for strike decisions to be announced without delay, ideally starting from July 15th. "All avenues have been tried, but we haven't yet used our power derived from production," stated public employees, signaling their readiness to escalate their struggle. They insist that the strike decisions must be upheld and their demands met without any concessions.

2025's First Half: Prices Soar, Incomes Stagnate

The first six months of 2025 have seen dramatic price increases, further burdening public employees. Bread prices surged by 87% to 15 TL in Istanbul, while natural gas and electricity costs rose by over 25%. Basic food items such as cooking oil, meat, and milk have seen price hikes between 30% and 40%. In this context, the proposed 17% wage increase is perceived by workers as an insult, a "mockery." The current situation underscores the urgent need for a resolution that truly addresses the economic realities faced by Turkish public workers.