TURKEY: Textile workers union gives a call for strike

The Textile, Knitting and Clothing Industry Workers' Union of Turkey (TEKSIF) has called a strike from September 10 in 17 companies. About 11,000 textile workers are expected to participate in the strike.

The TEKSIF was unable to reach an agreement in its negotiations with the Turkish Textile Employers' Association (TÜTSIS).

The two sides were unable to reach an agreement during the revived negotiations of the 21st Term Collective Bargain, which had been going on since April.

Textile employers say that since the economic circumstances of the sector are shaped by external factors, offering any more than their proposed price would be impractical. There offers have been made taking into account all economic factors.

TÜTSIS Chairman Halit Narin said that “The textile and ready-to-wear sectors have no more competitive power. Employers are unable to grasp any chance for compromise”.

The textile and ready wear sector have been able to overcome this crisis and export figures are increasing day by day, said TEKSIF authorities, adding that the attitude TÜTSIS displayed during this critical period had been unacceptable.

Negotiations had been deadlocked over the insistence of TÜTSIS on a zero percent wage increase for the first six months and zero premium for the new workers, said TEKSIF Press Counselor Mete Bayindir, and added that a 3 percent wage increase for the second six months is also unacceptable.

“The circumstances of the sector depend on external factors. Our exportation depends solely on the exchange rate with the dollar,” said Jeff Hakko, board member of Vakko, one of the companies covered by the strike decision. “A positive result would contribute to the Turkish economy. What is important is stability. I hope an agreement can be reached by September 10 for the sake of the economically-stable atmosphere in Turkey,” Hakko added.

The textile will lose approximately $3 billion if the strikes take place.