TURKEY: Textile workers strike avoided

ISTANBUL: The Textile, Knitting and Clothing Industry Workers' Union of Turkey (TEKSIF) and the Turkish Textile Employers' Association (TÜTSIF) have reached an agreement in collective bargaining. As a result of this agreement an increase of 4 to 5 percent will be implemented in workers' gross wages every six months. Due to this a possible strike in the textile sector has been avoided.
The agreement is valid for the 31-month term between April 1, 2007 and October 31, 2009. The workers' gross wages will be increased by 4 percent in the first six months and 5 percent in the second six months of the first year beginning March 31, 2007.
During the first six months of the second year, an approximate 4 percent increase will be implemented. Another 4 percent salary increase will be applied during the second half of the year. Another 4 percent salary increase will be implemented for the first seven months of the third year. Fringe benefits, such as bonuses, were also increased in proportion to the wage supplement.
The association's announcement reads: “We believe that during the period in which competitive conditions have become graver for the Turkish textile sector due to economic hardships, our workers, who we expect to be aware of the sacrifice made for them, will fulfill their responsibilities absolutely and contribute to the stability of the workplace with an increase in productivity.”