Türkiye: Great step forward for workers at German shoe retailer as they win first collective agreement

Retail workers in Türkiye have won substantial pay increases, benefits and bonuses in their first-ever collective bargaining agreement with German-owned shoe retailer Deichmann. The contract, signed between UNI Global Union affiliate, Tez Koop-Is, and Deichmann on 30 October, applies to nearly 1,000 workers at over 110 stores in Türkiye. It also covers workers at future Deichmann stores in the country.

The deal comes after the union’s attempts to negotiate were initially blocked in the Turkish labour court. However, after international solidarity from UNI and its German affiliate, ver.di, discussions recommenced and negotiations between Tez Koop-Is and the company proved successful.

Hakan Bozkurt, General Secretary of Tez Koop-Is, said:

“The benefits and pay rises secured in this agreement will make a real difference to workers’ lives. We extend our gratitude to UNI and ver.di for their support, which helped us achieve our first collective agreement with Deichmann. We will keep working with UNI to organize more retail workers, grow union power and expand collective bargaining in the commerce sector.”

Under the collective agreement, which will be applied retrospectively from 1 July 2024 until 31 December 2026, all workers will get a pay rise of 8 per cent of the minimum wage in Türkiye in 2024, with further wage increases set for 2025 and 2026. Almost all retail workers in Türkiye are paid the minimum wage. Deichmann workers will also be paid a bonus of a monthly wage each year.

Compensation for overtime work has been raised from 50 per cent to 60 per cent. Additionally, workers will now receive 1.5 times their daily pay for work on bank holidays, compared to the one additional daily pay currently mandated by law.

All workers will enjoy an additional two days of annual leave, as well as extra leave in cases of marriage, death of a relative, natural disasters and moving home.

Under the agreement, workers will benefit from a new disciplinary committee that includes union representation. No worker will face dismissal without a thorough investigation and a fair disciplinary hearing, during which they will have the opportunity to defend themselves and be represented by the union.

Workers will also be paid social and financial benefits such as allowances for food, education, marriage, transportation, birth and death. There is also an additional discount at the stores.

Mathias Bolton, Head of UNI Commerce, said:

“This hard-won collective agreement marks a significant breakthrough for Deichmann workers in Türkiye. Their determination and resilience have paid off, proving that when workers stand together, they can overcome the odds – especially with the strength of global solidarity.”

Photo caption: From left to right: Savaş Karakoç – CFO Deichmann Türkiye, Sedat Bozanoglu (Lawyer, Deichmann Türkiye), Hakan Bozkurt (General Secretary, Tez Koop-Is), Onur Bakir (Coordinator, UNI Commerce).