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They’re a little nervous initially. It’s no wonder, as the situation takes some getting used to. They are Serpil and Hussein, both workers at our subsidiary Germatürk in Izmir, Turkey. We’re meeting virtually to talk about their work, the impact high inflation rates have on their everyday lives, and their hopes for the future. Serpil has been working for the company for 26 years now, and she says she’s still “very happy” with the job. She’s been with the company almost from the beginning. The Maier Sports subsidiary had been established only four years before she joined.

As we start talking about her working environment, the initial nervousness has all but evaporated. Serpil is particularly enthusiastic about the morning atmosphere at her workplace: “Everyone starts work in a good mood.” There are many more employees who have remained with the company ever since it was first established. “Since many of my co-workers have been with the company for so long, it almost feels like family,” Serpil says. She works in the cutting department and her responsibilities include making sure that the various ingredients, colours, and fabrics are ready for production. Thus, she lays the foundation for Hussein’s subsequent task.

He’s responsible for the subsequent sewing work. “What I like most is that moment after the sewing process, when you get to hold the final product in your hands.” Great dexterity, good communication skills and a solutions-oriented approach – that’s what his work requires. His colleagues hold him in high esteem, which is a testament to the quality of his work. No wonder that he’s been elected as employee representative even though he’s only been with the company for two and a half years so far.

With inflation reaching more than 55 % in February 2023, the state of the Turkish economy has a profound impact on the lives of Serpil and Hussein. “It’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet with just one job,” says Hussein. There’s precious little money for leisure activities. “We used to do something special every weekend, but that’s gone down to maybe once a month now,” both explain to us. When Serpil goes buying groceries, she has to deal with price increases every week. “It’s getting harder every day,” she says. But despite these circumstances, both Hussein and Serpil are optimistic for the future and want to stay with Germatürk and their ‘second family’ for a long time.