Driving change in textile industry: ILO’s sectoral consultation tackles decent work challenges and solutions in Türkiye
Meeting focused on guidance and proactive labour inspection approaches, gathering insights and contributions from stakeholders; challenges and advancing solutions in textile sector addressed.
16 January 2025
ADANA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Türkiye and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Directorate of Guidance and Inspection (DoGI) organized a "Sectoral Consultation Meeting" in Adana to address the root causes of challenges in the textile sector and evaluate potential solutions.
The event was held as part of the “Workplace Compliance Through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” project, implemented by ILO and DoGI with funding from the European Union's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-III). Attended by labour inspectors, academics, and representatives from workers' and employers' organizations, the meeting focused on guidance and proactive labour inspection approaches, gathering insights and contributions from stakeholders. The goal of the meeting was to improve guidance activities and enhance social dialogue, fostering collaboration with stakeholders to improve working environments.
During the opening session, Bekir Aktürk, Head of the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection, delivered a speech, while ILO Project Coordinator Burcu Akça Hacıosmanoğlu provided information about the project and introduced the ILO Market Systems Analysis methodology. Chief Labour Inspector Şule Kalyoncu İner shared detailed information about the planning and steps of the guidance model.
Academic Presentations
In the morning session, Prof. Dr. Gaye Burcu Yıldız and Prof. Dr. Saniye Dedoğlu addressed issues related to working conditions and challenges stemming from the work environment in the textile sector.
Prof. Dr. Gaye Burcu Yıldız from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science explained the scope of her study, titled "Evaluating Decent Work Deficits in the Textile Sector through a Market Systems Approach." Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Saniye Dedoğlu from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University's Department of Labour Economics discussed "Working Conditions and Women’s Employment in the Textile Sector."
Following the presentations, stakeholders shared their views and questions regarding the root causes of challenges in the sector. Organized trade unions representing workers and employers in the textile sector also contributed their perspectives on the issues.
Panel Discussion: Decent Work in the Textile Sector
The afternoon session began with a presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seval Uyanık from Adıyaman University’s Department of Textile Engineering. Her talk, "Weaving the Future of the Textile Sector: Decent Work and Sustainability," focused on how sustainability standards in global trade could potentially impact working conditions and environments in the sector.
This was followed by the panel discussion titled "Decent Work in the Textile Sector: Issues, Root Causes, and Solutions Regarding Working Conditions and Occupational Health and Safety." Moderated by Chief Labour Inspector Mehmet Sümer, the panel featured experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, including Gülcan Bozdoğan and Burak Özdemir, who shared information on ministry-led efforts and sector-level collaborations to address specific challenges in the sector.
Ayça Gözek Çelik, Chair of the Adana Chamber of Industry’s Textile Industry Committee, evaluated the impacts of rapid production models, globalization, and supply chain regulations on working conditions and environments in the textile industry, noting the growing competition within the sector.
About the Project
The “Workplace Compliance Through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” project has been implemented since March 2023 under the partnership of ILO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Directorate of Guidance and Inspection of Türkiye, funded by the European Union's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-III). The project aims to contribute to creating more decent working environments for all women and men in Türkiye.