The Fashion and Apparel Federation called for to stop production due to the Kovid-19 epidemic, which began to affect the world starting from China. MHGF Chairman Hüseyin Öztürk stated in his statement that they are in favor of the warnings on the social isolation put into progress by the Coronavirus Scientific Committee headed by the Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca and reminded that they are in support of President Erdogan’s call to stay at home during the pandemic and shared the following, ‘’ Following weeks are vital to contain the spread of the epidemic. We have made a decision to stop manufacturing until the end of April with the approval by the majority of presidents of the member associations as a consequence of the teleconference meetings with them whom are actively managing those associations within Turkey.’’
“We should be ready in the Same Time Schedule”
MHGF President Öztürk underlined in his speech the closure of suppliers in domestic and foreign markets adding to the chain stores in this period and said, “In the beginning, many COVID19 cases have experienced a point of zenith and now signaling a downward trend in many countries across Europe that is the biggest market geographically. It will be critical for us to be ready in the same time schedule when these markets are going to be reactive and when the overall situation returns to normal. This can only be achieved by providing social isolation and containing the spread of the virus. At this stage, it is not efficient procedure pursued by the companies that adopt part-time and partial work in stages by considering cost-benefit ratio parameters.’’
“Our Proposal is to Stop Production”
Öztürk maintained his speech with the following, “Our proposal to manufacturers in the field of textiles, ready-to-wear, fashion, leather, leather garments and shoes, apart from our workshops and factories, which support the healthcare organization with products such as masks, overalls, and gauze, or have to fulfill orders from abroad as required by the contract, is to stop manufacturing until the end of April. We wish to be a leader in this issue to get approval from remaining sectors and non-governmental organizations. Please pay attention to the call of the Ministry of Health Coronary Science Committee and our President, and follow this suggestion in terms of social responsibility. With this decision taken by responsibly, we will not only protect the lives of our co-workers, but also effectively safeguard the spread of the virus regarding the transmission of the disease amongst individuals by interaction. These precautions are necessary to contain COVID19 and to return our social life and national economy to their normal condition promptly.’’
“We are the Leading Sector in Employment and Export”
MHGF President Hüseyin Öztürk continued his speech with the following, “We are the leading sector in the production, employment and export of our country. We have a solid structure that brings export culture to Turkey, act with its’ own financial resource; release the highest foreign trade figures. In addition, there is no any other sector that provides employment for one with a single investment of one thousand dollars. With a billion dollar investment in ready-made clothing, a million jobs can be created. Ready-to-wear offers a great advantage especially for regions with relatively underdeveloped, young population and unemployment is widespread. On the other hand, besides fashion and daily consumption, medical textiles play a serious role for our health as today, while we offer solutions for the world of today and the future with technical textiles. When we put forward all this, we think that textile and ready-made clothing should be declared as a strategic sector. ”
Öztürk ended his wording with the following, “Ready-to-wear is a horizontal and SME-oriented sector. I would like to make a very clear warning to national and global brands from here. These businesses, which provide manufacturing support in all conditions, cause us to face the problems that we cannot solve in the future, that will affect cash flow of our businesses. Nowadays, they have to boost manufacturers and keep them alive with the approach of "You should Support to Exist!"
