Garment factories in Turkey have been permitted to proceed with business as usual to prevent supply chain disruption – despite the rest of the country being in the midst of a two-week lockdown as the government attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The country went into a lockdown on 29 April, which is due to lift on 17 May.

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Residents will be required to stay home and can only leave the house for groceries and other essentials. Intercity travel will only be allowed with permission, while cafes and restaurants are only allowed to deliver food.

A strict capacity limit will be imposed for users of public transport and certain groups, including emergency service workers and employees in the food and manufacturing sectors, who will be exempt from the new lockdown.

Production and manufacturing, supply and logistics chains, and businesses falling under the categories of agriculture, forestry, and health fall under the exemption to minimise disruption. A spokesperson for Turkey’s Yesim Textile confirmed ready-to-wear garment production, as well as personal protective garments (PPE) production, are continuing as normal.

Turkey’s apparel trade body, the Istanbul Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB), has advised apparel manufacturers to prepare an official document for employees as proof of employment, which should contain company information, and to also obtain membership certificates to show affiliation to its sister trade body ITKIB.

The Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association Board (TGSD) issued a plea in May of last year to the country’s global buyers asking them not to cancel or suspend orders as it would threaten the survival of its garment factories. The Turkish garment manufacturing industry employs over 1.5m people.

In March 2020, however, the country’s clothing manufacturers complained of ill-treatment by major brands amid subdued market demand. 

TGSD president Hadi Karasu told just-style garment manufacturing has probably lost around 12-13% in sales during 2020.