QNB Türkiye Settles Labor Antitrust Probe for ₺1 Billion, Cutting Payable Fine 25%
Updated
Updated · Türkiye Today · May 27
QNB Türkiye Settles Labor Antitrust Probe for ₺1 Billion, Cutting Payable Fine 25%
1 articles · Updated · Türkiye Today · May 27
QNB Türkiye said it settled Türkiye’s labor-market antitrust probe, closing the case against the bank with a record ₺1 billion penalty.
The lender said the fine can be reduced by 25% under misdemeanor law once the reasoned decision arrives, lowering the payable amount to about ₺755.6 million, or 1.4% of its 2025 revenue.
The Feb. 24 investigation spans 26 companies across banking, insurance and IT over alleged non-poaching deals, wage coordination and restrictions on employee transfers.
Akbank, Garanti BBVA, Isbank, Yapi Kredi, DenizBank, HSBC, ING and others remain under scrutiny, with no other fines or settlements disclosed so far.
Turkish regulators are treating hiring conduct as an antitrust issue in line with a broader global push, after warning evidence suggested labor-market competition may have been limited.
As regulators target labor markets, which industries beyond finance and tech are next for a global antitrust crackdown?
Beyond no-poach pacts, what everyday HR data sharing could now trigger massive antitrust fines?
Is protecting worker wages now as crucial for competition law as ensuring low consumer prices?
QNB Türkiye Pays Record ₺1 Billion Fine in Landmark Turkish Labor Market Antitrust Settlement
Overview
As of May 2026, the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) has been investigating labor market practices in Türkiye, leading to a major settlement with QNB Türkiye. The bank agreed to pay a record fine of ₺1 billion (about $21.8 million) after a structured process under the Settlement Regulation. This process allowed QNB Türkiye to review the allegations, understand the potential fine, and discuss possible reductions before formally admitting to the violation. The settlement highlights the TCA’s active enforcement and signals increased scrutiny on labor market competition in the Turkish financial sector.