For unskilled workers, this increase of 100% on an annual basis will provide significant relief. 455 dollars net salary, which I think is the highest minimum wage in foreign currency in the history of the republic. Adjusted for inflation, it should be equivalent to around 350-360 dollars 20 years ago.
I think the problem here is not the minimum wage level. The reason why there are so many registered minimum wage earners in the country is that employers operate off the books to avoid insurance high premiums.
If the minimum wage goes up that much, it will bring the average wage balance much, much closer to the minimum wage. That is the real problem. We are protecting the purchasing power of low incomes, but what about the middle income group? A senior engineer with an average of 10-15 years of work experience should get at least 4 times the minimum wage, but what percentage gets it? It is the same for the experienced foreman. The experienced workforce with 10-25 years of work experience is the backbone of the country's labor force. I am not belittling minimum wage earners, but minimum wage earners are not the only problem of the country. And, not everyone is a public employee.
The other issue is pensions. Pensions are currently below the hunger limit. If a husband and wife have two pensions, and if you are paying rent, you are unlikely to live in a metropolitan area. I dont get in to separate discussions about a person has a certain amount of savings by that age. Will pensions come close to the minimum wage? At least 1 million more pensioners have come out of the lottery, I mean the elections, add them on top of that.
In short, unless steps are taken to regulate pensions at a rate above the minimum wage increase and to prevent the private sector from exploiting its employees, or another words, this decision will only work if it really regulates this market as it should be. Otherwise, the fact that the increasing prosperity mentioned by the minister will be reflected in every class will unfortunately not be a realistic statement.
TL;DR It is possible to suppress inflation and maintain the purchasing power of low-income earners until May-June. There will be another interim regulation at the end of the 6th month btw. But the real problem of the country is not the minimum wage earners. The middle income group is melting.
edit:
My interpretation about inflation: I think, net 55% increase has already been priced in by the market. For the last two months, the producer side has pushed prices according to the 8500tl expectation. Due to the seasonal effect of February-March, I do not expect inflation to make a high jump, but after June will be an important test.
Finance seems to organized all its resources according to the electoral strategy. The Ministry of Finance has reached the end of its preparations for a very low-interest housing loan. There are at least 1 million people waiting for retirement within the scope of EYT (those who are stuck in the age limit in retirement). The election is expected to take place in mid/end-May.
In June, the legal limit on rent increases expires. And most imprtantly, the May-June period, like the September-October period, is also a seasonally driven inflation spike. May not in food inflation, but in durable goods and textiles as usual.