Report Flags Persistent Gender Pay Gaps In Türkiye’s Fashion Manufacturing Sector
Gender pay inequality remains a significant challenge in Türkiye’s fashion manufacturing industry, despite the sector’s strong position as a key supplier to global brands, according to a new insights paper released by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA).
The report, based on industry data, company surveys, and interviews with unions and worker groups, examines the structural drivers behind pay disparities and outlines measures needed to achieve equal pay for equal work across the supply chain.
Türkiye’s textile and apparel sector is a major contributor to the national economy, accounting for an estimated 7.8% of GDP and employing nearly one million formally registered workers. Its proximity to European markets, strong logistics and high-quality production have made it an important sourcing destination, with more than a quarter of European brands relying on Turkish suppliers.
However, the research finds that women, who form a substantial share of the workforce, are still concentrated in lower-paid production roles and remain under-represented in technical, supervisory, and leadership positions. Estimates suggest the overall gender pay gap in Türkiye ranges from about 15% to over 17%, reflecting differences in job roles, career progression, and access to higher-paid positions.
Economic pressures in recent years, including inflation, currency depreciation, and rising input costs, have further strained manufacturers, leading to downsizing and job losses in some cases. These challenges disproportionately affect women, who are more likely to hold lower-paid or informal roles and face additional barriers such as childcare responsibilities and limited career mobility.
The study also highlights gaps in transparency and data. Only a minority of companies systematically monitor or disclose gender-disaggregated pay data, and unionisation among women workers remains relatively low, limiting awareness and collective bargaining on wage issues.
While many companies report having non-discrimination and diversity policies in place, interviews with worker organisations indicate that structural inequalities persist, suggesting a gap between formal policies and workplace realities.
The report calls for coordinated action across the value chain to close pay gaps. Recommendations include expanding childcare and parental-leave policies, improving pay transparency and reporting, strengthening collective bargaining frameworks, and encouraging responsible purchasing practices by brands to ensure suppliers can sustain fair wages.
According to GFA, advancing pay equity is not only a social imperative but also essential for building a resilient and sustainable fashion industry, where economic progress is matched by improved livelihoods for the workers who power global supply chains.
