Gardiyanoğlu: Minimum Wage Meeting to Be Convened on Thursday or Friday

Speaking on Er Meydanı, a program aired on Kıbrıs Genç TV and hosted by Mustafa Alkan, Gardiyanoğlu addressed developments regarding the minimum wage.

He confirmed that the appointment of Tahir Serhat as Chair of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission was finalized during today’s Cabinet meeting. “The call for the minimum wage meeting will be made either on Thursday or Friday,” he said.

"A Challenging Negotiation Table"

Gardiyanoğlu described the process as complex, noting, “There is an 11.12% cost-of-living adjustment, which has been declining due to measures taken by the government. We discussed this extensively in today’s Cabinet meeting and examined all data.”

The minister added that the heads of the Social Security Department and the Provident Fund Department were tasked with special studies ahead of the meeting.

Gardiyanoğlu expressed hope that the minimum wage would be determined by the second session of the Commission.

Sector-Based Minimum Wage Proposal

Gardiyanoğlu also touched on the sector-based minimum wage proposal, stating that a presentation would be made to the Cabinet in 10 days.

Focusing on 14 sectors, primarily construction, Gardiyanoğlu explained that Turkish Cypriot and Turkish citizens would not be included in the arrangement. “This regulation applies only to citizens of third-world countries. The main nations are Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Turkmenistan,” he said.

According to Gardiyanoğlu, if employers provide accommodations, meals, and transportation, workers from these countries would receive 30% less than the standard minimum wage under contractual agreements.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has instructed that the necessary legal arrangements be finalized and submitted to Parliament by the end of February, he added.

Details of the 14 sectors will be shared with the public next week.