Private sector teachers held a second meeting with the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security to discuss demands regarding base salary regulation, the elimination of fixed-term employment contracts, and regulation of the work sector. The meeting was held at the invitation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The discussions included technical details on how base salary regulations would be implemented, potential legal regulations, and ways to eliminate tax and social security differences between public and private sector teacher compensation. Following a first meeting held in July, parties had previously decided to continue technical work.
Negotiation complexities and ministry roles
Representatives from trade unions, education unions, employer associations, and relevant ministries attended the meeting. This included officials from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance. The TOBB Education Assembly was also in attendance.
Eren Edebali, President of the Private Sector Teachers' Union, described the negotiations as 'a de facto collective bargaining process.' Edebali stated that while the Ministry of Labour and Social Security wants to resolve the issue, the ministry cannot fully master the area. He noted complexities regarding which ministry would carry out inspections and the applicable working principles.
Edebali stated that the Ministry of National Education must demonstrate will in the process, and that members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission also have a duty. He warned that without a standard being brought to the table, workplace disputes and actions will increase.
Salary demands and cost concerns
The union has identified three core demands: a base salary, the end of fixed-term contracts, and work sector regulation. Edebali noted that under conditions where a base salary is not established, there is no concrete gain. He stated the aim is to move past the minimum wage regime.
Regarding compensation, Edebali stated that a reduction in tax and social security contributions is expected to help overcome cost differences. He noted that the employer side also has a demand for equality regarding these contributions.
The meeting concerned 12,500 workplaces and hundreds of thousands of education workers.
Edebali provided figures regarding salary comparisons, stating the public sector net teacher salary is 72,000 Turkish liras, with a gross equivalent of 96,000 Turkish liras. He stated that in the private sector, costs can rise up to 120,000–130,000 Turkish liras. He mentioned the union is open to several gross salary bases, including 96,000 Turkish liras, the public sector's 72,000 net salary, or twice the minimum wage.
Regulatory uncertainty and teacher protests
Edebali noted confusion regarding the legal status of teachers—whether they are classified as teachers, workers, Ministry of National Education personnel, or employees under the Labour Law. He also stated there is confusion on the employer side concerning whether to refer to the Labour Law or Law No. 5580.
Following the meeting, teachers gathered in front of the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security. A further meeting on the base salary issue is required, and a third meeting is planned for two weeks later, with a date to be determined that allows for the direct participation of employer association presidents.
