Thousands protest in Turkey to demand bigger hike in minimum wage

Thousands of people protested in Turkey's capital Ankara on Saturday to demand a bigger hike in the minimum wage, chanting slogans calling on the government to resign and waving the opposition and national flags.

The government announced this week that the net monthly minimum wage in 2025 will be 22,104 Turkish lira ($630.28), a 30% increase from 2024. The government said the level was set to maintain fiscal discipline and continue the fight against inflation.

Turkish workers, who have faced a persistent cost-of-living crisis with an expected annual inflation of 45% this year, had called for an increase of around 70% in total: a 45% inflation adjustment and a 20% welfare increase.

Turkey's main opposition CHP called Saturday's protest, saying the minimum wage increase showed President Tayyip Erdogan's government "lost touch with the realities of Turkey."