IndustriALL Global Union

01/22/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2026 07:25

Win for Turkish metal workers

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22 January, 2026After months of negotiations in Turkey's metal industry, tens of thousands of workers secured major gains, with average increases of 31.15 per cent in the first six months and 47.81 per cent in the first year of the 2025-2027 agreement.

The group collective bargaining agreement process was kicked off between three IndustriALL affiliates, Türk Metal, Birleşik Metal-İş, Özçelik-İş and the Turkish Metal Industries Employers' Association (MESS) on 13 October 2025. Following multiple sessions, without a positive outcome, a statement of disagreement was drawn up in December and the three unions decided to go on strike on 20 January this year.

Immediately after the strike decision, the three unions received an invitation from MESS, which started 21 January and ended up on 22 January 2026 with a victory for metal workers. The agreement has been signed by all the three unions.

The agreement covers:

For the first six-month period, hourly wages below 140 TL/hour (US$ 3) will be topped up by 10 TL/hour(US$0.23), not exceeding 140 TL/hour(US$3). Afterwards, a flat rate of 17.61 TL/hour(US$0.41) will be added after a 20 per cent increase to all wages. This increase corresponds to an average of 28.10 per cent of the basic wage.

After 1 March (for the second six-month period of our agreement), a 13 per cent increase will be applied. However, if the six-month inflation rate exceeds 13 per cent, the resulting inflation rate will be applied.

In the third six-month period of our agreement, the increase will be inflation plus 1.5 percentage points.In the final six-month period, the increase will be based on the inflation rate.

On 1 September 2025, the increase rate, including social allowances, was 31.15 per cent.

This wage will increase to a net 79,500 TL (US$ 1,850)on 1 March 2026. As of 1 March 2026, there will have been a cumulative increase of 44.76 per cent in wages alone.

Social benefits have been increased by 75 per cent for Eid al-Adha and 50 per cent for other social benefits in the first year of the agreement. In the second year , they will increase in line with the annual inflation rate. Together with social benefits, a cumulative annual increase of 47.81 per cent has been achieved.

In the meantime, all the concession proposals made by MESS have been withdrawn.

Industriall Europe, general secretary, Judith Kirton-Darling said:

"At a time when workers suffer from lack of purchasing power due to the economic difficulties, this win demonstrates how union struggle brings achievements to workers. Congratulations to the three Turkish metal affiliates."


IndustriALL Global Union, assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, said:

"This is a huge win thanks to the unity, determination and struggle by metalworkers and their unions. Our Turkish metal affiliates have shown an excellent example by working together, supporting each other and fighting back together. Bravo."

IndustriALL Global Union published this content on January 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 22, 2026 at 13:25 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]