Wed Sep 25 06:53:01 UTC 2024: ## Turkish Business Leader Calls for Tax and Wage Reforms to Boost Worker Income

**Ankara, Sept. 24** – Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), has urged the government to restructure income tax brackets and the social security wage ceiling to increase net wages for workers.

Speaking at a consultation meeting in Ankara, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the current tax structure unfairly places middle-income earners in the highest tax bracket. He also criticized the rising maximum wage for social security premiums, which he argued disproportionately benefits higher earners.

“We are calling for a restructuring of the income tax brackets and rates and the maximum wage based on the premium to increase the take-home pay of our workers,” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated.

He also emphasized the need for employment incentives, particularly for labor-intensive sectors struggling with rising costs and declining competitiveness. Hisarcıklıoğlu suggested a 5-point premium incentive, similar to one used in the past, to directly support employment.

The TOBB president further urged the government to streamline the short-time working allowance program, offering swift support to businesses facing production and sales declines. He also advocated for tax and insurance debt cancellation for companies affected by the recent earthquake, mirroring measures taken after the 1999 earthquake.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the need for greater flexibility in the Turkish labor market, calling for legislation that aligns with International Labor Organization (ILO) and European Union (EU) standards.

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