Commerce Ministry/Gürcan: Comprehensive Inspections Nationwide Conducted Following Minimum Wage Increase to Address Unjust Price Hikes
Foreks - The Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Mahmut Gürcan, reported that comprehensive inspections were carried out across the country yesterday due to unfair price increases following the announced minimum wage increase for 2025.
The statement read: "Following our warning to the public yesterday against unfair price increases taking advantage of the minimum wage hike, comprehensive inspections have been conducted nationwide on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, by our 81 Provincial Trade Directorates.
During these inspections; A total of 102,590 products were examined in 1,283 markets across 81 provinces, with violations of regulations detected in 1,403 of these products. As a result of the identified violations, a total administrative fine of 2,830,897 TL was imposed. Additionally, action has been initiated against 763 firms on suspicion of unfair price increases. After the submissions of these firms' defenses and related documents are referred to the Unfair Price Assessment Board, administrative fines of up to 1,000,000 TL will be imposed on the relevant businesses following the review of the results of the HFA inspections.
• The most intensive inspections were carried out in Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara. • In Istanbul, 201; in Antalya, 117; and in Ankara, 57 markets were inspected; with 25,258 products examined in Antalya, 20,021 in Istanbul, and 19,826 in Ankara. • The provinces where violations were most frequently detected were Istanbul, Ankara, and Elazığ, while the highest amounts of fines were imposed in Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa. • The provinces with the most firms subjected to action on suspicion of unfair price increases were Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.
As a Ministry, we continue our inspection activities resolutely in the field with our teams from 81 Provincial Trade Directorates. We meticulously evaluate the complaints of our citizens, and we promptly take necessary actions against all kinds of initiatives aimed at disrupting market order and achieving unfair profits.
The heaviest penalties will be imposed against practices of unfair price increases within the legal framework, and a steadfast stance will be upheld regarding the protection of our citizens' economic rights. Our inspections will continue with the same determination to ensure fair market order and protect the welfare of our citizens."