Monthly salaries exceeded 50 thousand liras: That profession fell into the black market!

The earthquake disaster that occurred on February 6, 2023 increased the problem of finding personnel due to the rapid start of housing construction in the region. Torbalı Chamber of Commerce President Abdulvahap Olgun stated that the daily wage of qualified workers working in the construction sector in İzmir’s Torbalı district has reached 2 thousand TL, especially in the face of high demand; He stated that there is a shortage of masters and assistants in areas that require expertise such as plaster, iron, mould, paint and construction masters. Stating that the new generation’s lack of interest in the construction sector deepens the problem, Olgun pointed out that there may be serious difficulties in the supply of qualified labor in the future.

“CONSTRUCTION WORKER SALARY EXCEEDED WHITE COLLAR”

Emphasizing that there are difficulties in the field of labor as well as cost increases in the construction sector, Torbalı Chamber of Commerce President Abdulvahap Olgun said, “The problem of personnel to work in the construction sector has begun to arise in Torbalı, one of the districts that produce the most housing in Izmir. There is a shortage of personnel in professions that require skill such as moulding, plastering and iron. Most of the existing workers shifted to construction sites in the earthquake zone. A new workforce did not replace them, and open positions grew. When construction is mentioned to our young people, they look at it with fearful eyes. “The generation between the ages of 18 and 25 does not prefer this sector,” he said. Continuing his statements, Olgun said, “According to TÜİK data, the construction sector material index increased by 52 percent and the labor index increased by 113.47 percent on an annual basis. Workers’ salaries continue to rise, as do material costs. The average monthly salaries of workers exceed 50 thousand lira. Daily wages vary between 1,500 and 2,000 liras, reaching 60-70 thousand liras per month, including overtime. “The salaries of plasterers, blacksmiths and moulders are higher than the salaries of white-collar workers,” he said.

“LABOR LACK HAS SHRINKD THE SECTOR”

Emphasizing that the lack of qualified personnel makes it difficult to complete projects on time and meet quality standards, Olgun said, “There has been a decrease in housing sales in Torbalı since 2020. 6 thousand 890 houses were sold in 2020 and 5 thousand 390 houses were sold in 2023. There is a decrease of 21.77 percent. Contractors cannot find personnel to work in construction. 10 people are trying to do the job of 20 people. Construction works cannot be completed on time. “This situation causes great problems for both our contractors and our citizens,” he said.

Noting that Torbalı Municipality approved only 1,122 building permits in 2023, Olgun said, “This figure indicates a remarkable decrease due to the decrease in construction in general. He concluded his words with the following sentences: “Lack of workers poses a significant obstacle in the sector in terms of economic growth potential.”