TÜRK-İŞ Firmly Rejects Regional Minimum Wage: Labor Rights and Income Inequality Reform Demands

The General Assembly of TÜRK-İŞ, following a meeting at its headquarters, issued a firm statement advocating for significant reforms in labor rights and income distribution. The union's key demand, the regional minimum wage system, was categorically rejected, with a call for a national, fair and equal minimum wage instead. The statement highlighted the growing inequality in income distribution, where capital's share is increasing while the purchasing power of those who earn through labor is declining. The risk to social justice was emphasized, urging economic and social policies to be restructured with fair income distribution as the primary focus. The statement also criticized the tax system's burden on workers, demanding a reduction in tax burdens on wage earners and a progressive tax system where those earning less pay less and those earning more pay more. Additional demands included eliminating legal and practical barriers to trade union organization, aligning labor legislation with International Labour Organization norms, and implementing deterrent measures against anti-union practices.

The push for labor rights reforms in Turkey is critical to protecting the livelihoods of lower-income groups. These demands could serve as a foundational step towards ensuring social harmony in the future.