TRNC workers took to the streets of north Cyprus to protest the new minimum wage

Minimum wage earners and workers unions took to the streets on Friday to protest the first minimum wage of 2025 being set at 7.5 percent, below the cost of living.

Workers Unions organized came together with private sector workers to protest the minimum wage set below the cost of living rate and to respond to economic policies.

The protest, which began at 6:00 pm on Friday at Dereboyu Pronto roundabout, marched towards the Prime Ministry with chants of "Government Resign."

At the Prime Ministry, the General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEÖS) Tahir Gökçebel, the General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Union (KTÖS) Burak Maviş, and the President of Hür-İş, Ahmet Serdaroğlu, gave speeches.

In a statement made in front of the Prime Ministry, Hür-İş President Ahmet Serdaroğlu said that minimum wage earners had been declared the 'scapegoat' and that the cost of living rate of 11.12% was also insufficient.

"The 11.12% rate is not realistic," said Serdaroğlu, drawing attention to inflation rates in Turkey.

Serdaroğlu emphasized that working without a union should be banned and stated, "Unions do not engage in politics; unions stand by labor."

Ahmet Serdaroğlu also called on citizens to join the protest on the day the Minimum Wage Determination Commission meets.