Turkish gov't to bosses: Resist opposition's minimum wage promises

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and several economy ministers of the government have criticized the opposition parties? economic plans, particularly promises to increase the minimum wage, inviting business and trade groups to reflect on how these promises are ?unrealistic.? 

?Any opposition party may voice many unrealistic promises ? You, as the exporters of our country, have the full right to hear a clear comment about the minimum wages in terms of the rational economic context. The minimum wage is defined and negotiated by employers and employees on an optimum ground. You know how any populist move to determine this wage may affect our country?s exports negatively,? Davuto?lu said at the Turkish Exporters? Assembly (T?M) meeting in Istanbul, quoted by Do?an News Agency. 

He said the government would continue to implement ?rational economic policies.? 

?We have no doubt that confidence and stability will last in Turkey. We have succeeded a lot over the past 12 years and you, exporters, are both architects and witnesses of our achievements,? he said, adding that he believed the country would reach its $500 billion exports target by 2023. 

The eye-catching economic promises made by the opposition parties ahead of the June 7 general election have also been criticized by several members of the government. 

Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also called on businesses, trade unions and bosses to react against pledges to increase the minimum wage, saying increases would result in job losses.

?The addressees of [the opposition parties? pledges] are labor and employer unions in Turkey as well as industrialist and business associations, exporters and producers. As the government, we prefer to be silent about this issue, but...