North Cyprus sets new minimum wage at net 52,738 TL, below inflation rate

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission has set the first minimum wage of 2026 with an increase of 18.39 percent—below the six-month cost of living rate—raising the gross monthly minimum wage to 60,618 TL and the net wage to 52,738 TL.

The decision was adopted by majority vote with the support of government and employer representatives, while labor representatives voted against the increase and announced plans to challenge the decision in court.

The Statistics Authority had previously announced a six-month cost of living increase of 21.66 percent. Since July, the minimum wage in northern Cyprus had been applied at a gross monthly rate of 51,202 TL and a net rate of 44,546 TL.

Government Support to Supplement Increase

Minister of Labour and Social Security Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, speaking after the commission meeting, said the government would provide additional financial support to minimum-wage earners to offset the gap between the wage increase and inflation.

“In addition to the announced increase, the government will provide a total contribution of 12,000 TL. With this support, the overall increase will effectively reach 22.90 percent,” Hasipoğlu said. He added that the government would contribute 2,000 TL per month over a six-month period, amounting to 12,000 TL in total state support.

According to the ministry, the support will be paid to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) citizens whose social insurance premiums are paid at the minimum wage level. Payments will be made in two installments of 6,000 TL each in February and March, sourced from the Employment Support Center Fund.

With the added support, the ministry stated that minimum-wage earners’ January take-home pay would reach a total net amount of 58,738 TL.

Applications for the wage support will be submitted through an online portal to be launched on the Provident Fund Department’s website (ihtiyat.gov.ct.tr). Approved payments will be transferred directly to applicants’ declared bank accounts.

New Minimum Wage Rates Effective January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will be applied as follows:

Hourly: 349.71 TL

Daily: 2,797.75 TL

Weekly: 13,988.76 TL

Monthly gross: 60,618 TL

Monthly net: 52,738 TL

Labor Unions Reject Decision

Labor representatives strongly criticized the decision. Hür-İş Federation President Ahmet Serdaroğlu described the increase as inadequate and said unions would formally object.

“This is a very disappointing figure. The employer side and the ministry put 18.39 percent on the table. We will object to this decision and take the matter to court,” Serdaroğlu said.

He accused the government of acting against the principle of equality and failing to stand with workers, adding that the administration had no genuine intention of addressing the struggles faced by wage earners amid rising living costs.