Work and Wages
Minimum Wage
In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Türkiye, the State must take all necessary measures to ensure that workers earn a fair wage commensurate with the work performed, as well as other social benefits. The Constitution further requires that the living conditions of workers and the country's economic situation be taken into account when determining the minimum wage (Art. 55).
In order to regulate the economic and social conditions of all kinds of workers working under an employment contract, the minimum wages are assessed every two years at the latest, by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through the mediation of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission. The Commission is comprised of fifteen members, five of each from the government, employer, and employee side (Art. 39 of the Labour Law). Although the Labour Law requires a determination of the minimum wage at least once every 2 years, the minimum wage in Türkiye is determined every six months (January to June & July to December).
Under the Omnibus Law 6552 of 2014, the minimum wages of underground workers who work at workspaces where lignite (brown coal) and mineral coal (pit coal) are mined are increased. Under Art. 9 of the Mining Law No. 3213, at workplaces where brown coal and pit coal are mined, the minimum wage paid to the underground workers cannot be less than twice the minimum wage determined under Art. 39 of the Labour Law (4857).
Compliance with provisions of the Labour Law, including those on minimum wages, is ensured by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. If an employer pays less than the minimum wage, as determined by the Commission or under a collective agreement or employment contract, he must pay 167 TRY for each such violation.
Source: §55 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye Act No. 2709, 1982; §39 of the Labour Law, 2003; §9 of the Mining Law No. 3213; §39 of the Labour Law (4857); Omnibus Law No. 6552 of 2014; http://turkishlaborlaw.com/news/legal-news/457-labor-law-administrative-fines-for-2017
For the updated minimum wage, kindly refer to the Minimum Wage section.
Regular Pay
In accordance with art. Section 32 of the Labour Law, basic wage use is paid in monetary terms, while other benefits may be paid in cash or in kind. Wages must be paid in a legal tender, i.e., Turkish currency, and in cash or may be deposited in the employee's bank account. Wages must be paid once a month. The wage period may be fixed as one week through the employment contract or collective agreement. If a worker has not been paid wages within 20 days of the due date, except in case of force majeure, such worker may refrain from performing his/her duties.
In accordance with the Regulation on amending the Regulation regarding Payments of Wages, Bonuses, Premiums and Every Kind of Remuneration through Banks, published in the official gazette dated 21 May 2016 with the effect date of 1st June 2016, the employee limit has been lowered to 5 employees (previously it was 10 employees), and establishments with five or more employees have to pay all kind of remuneration via bank accounts.
Source: §32-35 of Labour Law, 2003
Regulations on Work and Wages
- Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası, 2709 sayılı Kanun, 1982 (son değişiklik 2011) / Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye Act No. 2709, 1982 (last amended in 2011)
- 4857 sayılı İş Kanunu, 2003 (6645 sayılı Kanun ile 2015 yılında değişiklik yapılmıştır) / Labour Law No. 4857, 2003 (last amended through law No. 6645 in 2015)
