They will be stuck between conscience and wallet
A major test awaits the Public Officials Arbitration Board, which will determine the fate of over six million civil servants and retired civil servants. The board's members, selected by the government, include the Chief of the Court of Accounts, deputy ministers, presidents, and university professors. Any raises granted by the board will be proportionally reflected in the members' salaries. If the board members grant the 11% + 4% raise the government demands, they will retain their positions. If they grant the civil servants the raise they demand, their salaries will increase significantly, but both their positions and their careers will be at risk. The sheer difference will leave members struggling to decide between their conscience and their wallets.
PRESIDENT'S VOTE IS DOUBLE
Of the 11-person arbitration panel, seven are elected by the government and four by the unions. The chairman's vote counts double. Therefore, it seems impossible for the panel to announce a raise rate other than the government's. The negotiations ended in disagreement, with Memur-Sen demanding a total of 88% + 46% for 2026 and 2027, while the government offered 11% + 7% for 2026 and 4% + 4% for 2027. When no agreement was reached, the decision was referred to the arbitration panel.
If the board accepts and announces the government's raise rate as is, the salaries of the three deputy ministers on the board, which are currently 229,676 lira, will increase to 254,940 lira in January 2026, excluding inflation, and to 272,786 lira in July 2026. These members' salaries in July 2027 will reach 295,046 lira. Conversely, if the board approves Memur-Sen's request and decides on an 88% + 46% raise, the deputy ministers' salaries will increase to 431,791 lira in July 2026 and to 630,415 lira in July 2027.
If the board takes pity on civil servants and retirees on fixed incomes and accepts Memur-Sen's request for a raise, the lowest-ranking civil servant's salary will rise from 47,522 lira, excluding inflation adjustments and a 1,000 lira raise, to 89,341 lira in July 2026 and 130,438 lira in July 2027. The lowest-ranking retired civil servant's salary will also rise from 22,617 lira to 42,520 lira next year and to 62,079 lira in July 2027. This raise will provide relief to both members and those on fixed incomes, but if members approve this raise, they could likely lose their seats.
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