Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek has assured employees and pensioners that their salaries will not be eroded by inflation, as he addressed the 2025 budget negotiations at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

Şimşek highlighted that inflation in key sectors like food, education, and transport is beginning to slow down, a trend he expects to continue into 2025. He assured that the government has been supportive of both employees and pensioners, stating: "We have increased [salaries] above inflation and we will continue to do so. We have not crushed our employees and pensioners against inflation and we will not crush them."

He projected that inflation would settle around 45 percent by the end of this year. "This year, the lowest civil servant salary increased by 78 percent and the lowest pension increased by 68 percent. Both rates were above inflation. The minimum wage will probably be above inflation," Şimşek added, underscoring the government's ongoing efforts to outpace inflation in salary adjustments.

The government’s economic policies aim to mitigate inflationary pressures while safeguarding citizens’ purchasing power. As inflation stabilizes, Minister Şimşek reiterated the government’s priority to balance economic reforms with social welfare measures.

The 2025 budget negotiations come amid efforts to restore economic stability and improve living standards for Turkey’s workforce and retirees, following a challenging inflationary period. (ILKHA)