Supporting Syrian Workers in the Turkish Garment Industry

In mid-May, the project partners met in Istanbul to discuss best practices, challenges and a possible project follow-up phase. A special highlight: Coordinated by Orsay, C&A and Primark, several factories could be visited. Together with the factory managers, the opportunities and challenges with regard to the employment of refugees were discussed. Furthermore, the participants exchanged on the cooperation with the Worker Support Center, whose information posters are displayed in the factories.  

For example, a family-run embroidery factory that produces for C&A and Primark, among others, employs 26 Syrian refugees, who make up about half of the workforce. During a previous training session, the MUDEM employees informed some of the workers about their rights and the work of the Worker Support Centre. Another training is already planned to educate the entire workforce.

“For us at the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles it is important to promote local civil society organizations that serve as contact points for workers. These organizations act in the interest of workers, know their concerns and challenges. Local proximity and language facilitate access and use of the complaint mechanism. This example shows that cooperation between buying companies and local organizations works and should be further promoted,” says Lara Hutt from the Partnership Secretariat. 

*While Orsay had to close down all its shops in Germany as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fashion Cube (a group of six brands to which Orsay belongs) continues its operations and thus also its cooperation with MUDEM.