RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WAGE POLICIES AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION INEQUALITIES IN TURKEY

Abstract

In the process of globalization, the problem in the distribution of income in economies has deepened. One of the important strategies in combating this inequality in income distribution is wage policies aimed at increasing the income of the labor factor. Because wages are the factor income that has the largest share in national income. In this context, the study examines how wage policies affect income inequality in Turkey. The dependent variable of the econometric model analyzed with the ARDL Bounds Test Approach is the Gini coefficient representing the income distribution, and the independent variables are the average wages of a private airline company representing the private sector wages and the minimum wage. According to the findings of the study, a 1% increase in the minimum wage reduces the Gini coefficient by 0.061%; A 1% increase in private sector wages increases the Gini coefficient by 0.051%. This result indicates that minimum wage policies play an important role in reducing inequality; private sector wage increases imply that inequality increases.