Turkish textile sector continues to struggle
Turkey’s textile sector suffered less than other industries as a result of the global economic downturn, according to reports.
However, figures show that more than 4,400 members of the Turkish Textile, Knitting and Clothing Industry Workers’ Union lost their jobs during the crisis. Meanwhile, it is believed more than 7,500 textile workers were forced to take unpaid leave between October 2008 and July 2009.
Nevertheless, president of the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters’ Union (ITKIB), Ismail Gülle, says that while other sectors have seen exports and production rates fall by up to 30%, the textile industry has escaped with an 18% decline. The worst problems occurred during 2008, when demand fell substantially, coinciding with a rapid rise in production costs.
