Minimum Wage Commission in TRNC Fails to Reach Decision
The Commission for Determining the Minimum Wage in Northern Cyprus was unable to make a decision today. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17.
The meeting, which started at 09:50 in the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection’s conference room, was attended by Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sadik Gardiyanoglu, Ahmet Serdaroglu, President of the Free Workers' Trade Unions Federation (Hür-İş), and a representative of the Turkish Cypriot Employers' Union, who represented the employers' side.
The goal was to set the third minimum wage for 2024, effective from September 1. However, the parties could not come to an agreement.
Ahmet Serdaroglu, President of the Free Workers' Trade Unions Federation, attended the meeting wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “No Poverty” and criticized the Commission for scheduling the meeting later than initially planned.
Minister Sadik Gardiyanoglu stated that the new minimum wage would be implemented starting September. A final decision is expected to be made by the next Tuesday.
The minimum wage in Northern Cyprus was last adjusted at the end of May. The Commission's decision increased it by 23.5% to 29,640 Turkish lira. This agreement was reached between government and worker representatives, although the employers' side opposed the increase.
There was a 10-day period allowed for objections. After reviewing these objections, the minimum wage was reduced by 120 lira. As of today, the minimum wage in the TRNC is 29,520 Turkish lira.