KESK Marches to Labor Ministry With 20,000 Signatures: Demands 35% Wage Increase

Members of the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) delivered 20,000 signatures they collected from across the country today in 48 folders to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, demanding a 35% wage increase. KESK members gathered in front of the minister's office holding a banner that read "Collective agreement is void, emergency wage increase needed."

KESK Co-Chair Ahmet Karagöz stated that current salaries are eroding in the face of inflation, saying "These signatures represent the voice of public sector employees who struggle to pay their rent, whose household finances are deteriorating, and who cannot cover their children's education expenses."

During the 2024 collective bargaining period, KESK had also submitted a wage increase demand to the Labor Ministry, but the government rejected the proposal at that time and closed negotiations with an arrangement below 35%. The confederation announced that if the demand is not met, they could organize work stoppages in the autumn period.