Turkey: Pay and benefits

Original and updating authors: Batuhan Sahmay and Özlem Özdemir

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Summary

• The payment of wages by the employer in return for work performed by the employee is a fundamental element of the employment contract. (See General)
• Wages must generally be paid monthly and, if the employer has at least five employees, into employees' bank accounts. (See Payment of wages)
• Other than income tax and social security contributions, any deductions from an employee's wages must generally be agreed by the employer and employee. (See Deductions)
• Employers must provide employees with equal pay for the same or similar jobs, or for work of equal value. (See Equal pay)
• There is a statutory national minimum wage, set at a single rate applicable to all employees irrespective of age or experience. (See Minimum wage)
• The public social security system provides a statutory old-age pension, and employers are required to provide automatic participation in a private pension plan. (See Pensions)
• Employers must withhold employees' income tax at source, and employers and employees must pay statutory social security contributions. (See Income tax and social security)
• Where an employee is medically certified as being unable to work, the employer is obliged to pay the employee their wages for the first two days of sickness absence, after which, if eligible, the employee is entitled to receive state sickness benefit. (See Sick pay)
• Benefits in kind are not explicitly regulated by law. (See Benefits in kind)