Turkey: wage agreement for 130,000 workers in metal industry (update following endorsement by the Birleşik Metal-İş trade union)

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On 29 January, after a period of tough negotiations punctuated by strikes, the Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries (MESS) reached an agreement on wages with the Turk Metal and Özçelik-İş trade unions. The MESS indicated that on 02 February the Birleşik Metal-İş union, which initially refused to sign had subsequently endorsed the agreement, rendering a unanimous conclusion and a most welcome return to social peace and stability. The agreement, which is valid for two years and will apply to around 130,000 workers in the automotive, white goods and steel sectors, provides for a flat-rate increase for the lowest paid as well as an hourly wage increase for all: 17% for the six months from September 2019, then 6% for the following six months. If inflation in the latter period is higher than this rate, the difference will be added to the pay rise. Employee benefits are also given a boost under the deal and complementary health insurance is maintained.

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