Supermarket Workers in Turkey Face Exploitation, Long Hours, and Low Pay

Turkish supermarket jobs have become a common choice for many, but behind the shelves lies a reality of low pay, long hours, and a lack of job security. Workers, particularly women, face harsher conditions, including workplace abuse and harassment. Industry figures show a staggering 1.5 million people are formally employed in the retail sector, but most positions are temporary and low-paying. Supermarket workers like S.A., a 24-year-old university graduate, feel stretched across multiple responsibilities, working alone for hours without breaks, and taking on tasks they've never been trained for. They demand higher wages, more staff, and timely leave, and are planning to leave their jobs as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 1.5 million people are formally employed in Turkey's retail sector, accounting for about 4.5% of the country's labor force as of 2024 (SGK).
• Most supermarket jobs are temporary and low-paying, with some positions offering a monthly salary between 22,104 liras and 26,000 liras (~540-633 US dollars).
• Workers face harsher conditions, including workplace abuse and harassment, particularly women, with Demirel stating that women face intense pressure, harassment, and physical and emotional abuse.
• A significant portion of supermarket employees are women, with Demirel stating that women are expected to move heavy pallets quickly, leading to physical injuries like herniated discs, neck strain, and muscle tears.
• Workers are demanding higher wages, more staff to prevent overwork, safe and harassment-free workplaces, and respect for union rights and collective bargaining.
• The Sosyal-Is union has set up committees in cities across the country to support supermarket workers and have listed their main demands as follows: Voluntary work on public holidays with additional pay, accurate logging and full payment for overtime, safe, harassment-free workplaces with equal pay for women.

Statistics:

• There are currently 423 openings for cashiers, 180 for general market staff, and 280 for stock clerks in Turkey (ISKUR).
• Most of these positions are temporary and low-paying, with some positions offering a monthly salary between 22,104 liras and 26,000 liras (~540-633 US dollars).
• Over 1.5 million people are formally employed in Turkey's retail sector, accounting for about 4.5% of the country's labor force as of 2024 (SGK).
• 25,000 liras (~5,400 US dollars) is the fixed monthly salary in some supermarkets, which does not even cover rent.
• Over 60% of supermarket employees are women.

Sources:

• Turkish Employment Agency (ISKUR)
• Social Security Institution (SGK)
• Glbin Demirel, member of the Market and Store Committee of the DISK Sosyal-Is union
• Bianet
• Sosyal-Is union