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Understanding Pay Equity in Türkiye's Fashion Sector

The Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has released a pivotal insights paper entitled Unpacking Pay Equity in Fashion: Türkiye. This document highlights the intricate dynamics surrounding gender pay disparities in one of Europe's foremost fashion manufacturing hubs. Introduced during an exclusive industry roundtable at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector in Paris, the paper aims to shed light on the structural challenges that contribute to these wage gaps.

Key Drivers of Gender Pay Disparities

The extensive report draws from a comprehensive facility-level survey involving 43 Turkish textile and apparel producers, along with interviews conducted with trade unions and worker associations. Experts from social sustainability initiatives, including the Social Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA), have also contributed to this research. Türkiye's fashion manufacturing sector employs nearly one million formally registered workers and constitutes approximately 7.8% of the nation's GDP.

A few critical findings include:

• - Significant Gender Pay Gap: The gender pay gap in Türkiye is estimated between 15.6% and 17.4%, starkly higher than the EU average of roughly 12%. Yet, the GFA warns that these headline figures may obscure deeper systemic issues.
• - Structural Factors Over Equal Pay for Equal Work: Most gender pay disparities arise from structural factors such as occupational segregation and cultural norms rather than direct unequal pay for the same job.
• - Occupation Segregation: Women's roles are predominantly in lower-paid sectors, specifically in production and quality control, while men typically dominate higher-paid technical and supervisory positions. This segregation is a major contributor to persistent wage inequalities.
• - Challenges in Wage Data Transparency: The ongoing struggle to measure and disclose gender-disaggregated wage information impedes companies from accurately identifying and addressing wage inequalities.
• - Resilience Amid Economic Pressure: Despite ongoing economic pressures like inflation and rising production costs, many manufacturers are actively striving to uphold formal employment, comply with labor laws, and safeguard jobs.

A Call for Action

The report accentuates that addressing gender pay gaps is vital, both socially and economically. Enhancing pay equity can boost workforce morale and job retention, aligning with evolving EU regulations regarding pay transparency. As these standards increasingly influence global supply chains, companies sourcing from Türkiye need clearer visibility into wage distribution within their supply chains.

Federica Marchionni, CEO of GFA, remarked, "Pay equity is fundamental to building a fair and resilient fashion industry. This research indicates that while gender pay gaps in Türkiye's fashion manufacturing sector are real, they are also actionable. Progress hinges on coordinated efforts – from policymakers to brands and suppliers."

The report outlines several pragmatic recommendations aimed at addressing these disparities effectively. These recommendations include:

• - Increasing access to childcare and parental support.
• - Enhancing formal employment protections and oversight of subcontracting.
• - Improving reporting mechanisms for gender-disaggregated pay.
• - Emphasizing responsible purchasing methods.
• - Investing in women's skill development and leadership opportunities.

By embracing these strategies collectively, stakeholders can strengthen Türkiye's manufacturing landscape, promote women's involvement in the economy, and advance the fashion industry towards a future where pay equity becomes a reality.

In conclusion, Unpacking Pay Equity in Fashion: Türkiye is more than just a report; it's a call to action for an industry that has the potential to lead the way in gender equity through concrete, meaningful changes in its practices.

For more information and to access the report, visit the Global Fashion Agenda’s website.