The first meeting date on the 2026 minimum increase organized by the Minimum Wage Determination Committee has been announced. One wonders whether the first numbers will be tabled at the meeting of the government, workers and employers who are expected to participate in the committee. The new minimum wage is usually determined after the third meeting of the committee. So when and what time will the 2026 minimum wage meeting take place?
This week will be a big one for minimum wage earners. The Minimum Wage Determination Committee, which will determine the increase, will begin negotiations tomorrow to determine the minimum wage for 2026. So when and when will the 2026 minimum wage meeting take place?
WHICH IS THE MINIMUM WAGE MEETING AND WHEN?
The committee that determines the minimum wage, coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, meets annually in December. The committee is run by a panel of workers, employers and government representatives, but it is unclear whether the workers' side will be at the negotiating table this year.
The first meeting on the 2026 minimum wage increase will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025. The meeting is scheduled to begin at noon.
IS THE EMPLOYER PARTY ON THE COMMITTEE?
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan said that they want to meet all parties at the table during the committee meeting. Later, Türk-İş Chairman Ergün Atalay made a statement on whether they will join the committee or not.
In his statement, Atalay said, “No text has been received. I don't think it will come from now on. We continue to stand in the same position.” He stated that they will reassess their decisions if any steps are taken from the government's side.
Now all eyes will be on whether the government takes any steps.
WHAT IS PREDICTION?
TOBB ETÜ Lecturer Professor has participated in NTV's live broadcast in the past weeks. Dr. Cem Kılıç, “How much will the minimum wage increase? When will the meeting with unions be held?” He answered the question.
Stating that there may be meetings in TİSK and TÜRK-İŞ like previous years, Kılıç said:
“We will wait and see. In particular, we need to look at the inflation developments and the published TÜİK figures. TÜRK-İŞ itself published some figures on the poverty index and livelihoods. All these figures will be discussed. In general, the estimate is about 25-30 percent.”
