Gaziantep: Half of sewing workshops close due to Syrian workers return

The garment and textile sector in Turkey's Gaziantep province is experiencing an unprecedented crisis following the return of large numbers of Syrian workers to their country. This has led to the closure of more than 50% of the garment workshops that relied on them as a primary workforce.

According to the Gaziantep İlk Haber website, production has declined significantly, and the shortage of skilled labor has reached critical levels, threatening the survival of the remaining workshops in the sector.

Ali Komurcu, head of the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce and Industry's garment and textile sector, explained that Syrians had formed the backbone of the middle workforce in the province for many years. He stated, "With the return of Syrians to their country, more than 50% of our workshops have closed. We used to meet our needs for middle labor with Syrians, and with their absence, the shortage has become much more severe."

Komurcu pointed out that many workshops that depended on Syrians to fill the gap in skilled labor were forced to close after the end of the war in Syria and the start of the return of refugees, leading to a significant decline in productivity within the sector.

Komurcu linked the labor shortage to Turkey's 4+4+4 education system, explaining that compulsory education until age 18 reduces young people's opportunities to enter the vocational job market at an early age, thus decreasing the number of skilled workers in trades.

He added, "Vocational training centers are not producing enough middle-level workers, which is why Syrians were a vital pillar of the market. With their departure, the need for qualified personnel has resurfaced."

Komurcu noted that 2025 was not a good year for artisans or the textile sector in Gaziantep, explaining that the economic recession and rising operating costs negatively impacted workshop owners. However, he expressed hope that the formation of the new Syrian government would lead to improved trade with Turkey, potentially revitalizing the sector.

He said, "We believe that cooperation between our government and the Syrian government in the coming period will boost trade in our region. We hope that artisans will prepare for a better season."

Komurjo added that the return of many Syrian workers to their country after the formation of the Syrian government has created significant gaps in the labor market. He expressed hope that 2026 would bring a breakthrough for traders and craftsmen after what he described as a "disappointing" year.

In a related context, Komurjo emphasized the need to raise wages to cope with the rising cost of living, saying, "The decline in wages and pensions, coupled with the increase in fuel costs, has directly impacted purchasing power. Without sufficient income, people cannot afford to spend. Increasing wages will revitalize the markets and restore economic activity to normal."