Minimum wage

The minimum wage is the lowest lawful pay for a normal working day in Türkiye. It is set by the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, composed of employee, employer and state representatives, and enters into force upon publication in the Official Gazette.

The figure operates as an absolute floor that cannot be undercut even by agreement. Since the amount is updated periodically, employees actually paid below it may claim the difference, and such underpayment can constitute just cause for the employee to terminate.

The most widespread problem in practice is partial off-the-books payment: payroll shows the minimum level while the excess is paid in cash. This leads to undercalculated severance, notice and social security entitlements, and is a classic subject of real-wage inquiries before Turkish labour courts.