The minimum wage amount will be determined in the coming weeks

A meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission will be held in the coming weeks to determine the new wage level.

Currently, the minimum wage in the TRNC is 37,818 Turkish lira (net) and 43,469 Turkish lira (gross). Citizens express concern that the amount is not enough for a decent living.

In a conversation with the newspaper Gündem Kıbrıs, people emphasized that the minimum wage is a basic income level that should ensure a humane existence. However, the current amount does not even meet basic needs.

Many admitted that they are barely making ends meet, struggling with high market prices, and believe the minimum wage should be at least 90,000 Turkish lira. They also emphasize the importance of government price control.

What do the interviewed citizens say?

Vahit Helvacioğlu: The minimum wage should allow people to live with dignity, but in our conditions, that's impossible. I don’t expect anything from the commission meeting. The idea of a sectoral minimum wage is, in my opinion, meaningless and only benefits certain circles. The whole system is built on exploitation. The real minimum wage should be at least twice the current one.

Hatice Süerdem: I believe the current minimum wage is completely insufficient. It’s especially hard for families. In my opinion, it should be at least 90,000 lira. We are promised a decent life, but today we are forced to save on everything.

Ali Süerdem: Unfortunately, raising the minimum wage won’t increase purchasing power — prices will rise immediately. Inflation is much higher than the official data. The main reason is the devaluation of the Turkish lira. If we switched to the euro, maybe the situation would stabilize somewhat. Today, a decent life is only possible with a salary of 90,000 to 100,000 lira.

Tuncay Özkaramanlı: A salary increase is urgently needed — prices are skyrocketing. Even without further hikes, wages need to be raised. But every wage increase leads to price increases. It’s a vicious cycle that no one controls. Families are in despair: the current amount isn’t enough even for two people. Urgent measures must be taken.

Hüseyin Türkoğlu: Minimum wage earners are in a dire situation. To live normally, it needs to be doubled. People are even afraid to buy bread, constantly having to cut costs. Strict price control is necessary; otherwise, even regular increases won’t help. Employers should consider workers’ qualifications and not pay everyone the minimum.

Halil Bolel: The minimum wage should be no less than 50,000 lira. Life is getting harder and purchasing power is falling. I’m against the introduction of a sectoral minimum — this is the baseline, which can be raised based on qualifications. Everyone should have equal starting conditions.