Swatch employees have been on strike for 7 days

Low wages have caused an outcry among employees at the Swiss watch giant Swatch, which sells its cheapest watch for 3,100 TL and its most expensive model for 14,900 TL in its stores in Turkey.

Swatch employees, who work 45 hours a week over 6 days, are only able to earn slightly above the minimum wage due to deductions made from their salaries.

CALL TO "STAND WITH US IN OUR LABOR STRUGGLE"

According to the report by Fatoş Erdoğan, employees demanding salary adjustments and more humane working conditions have gone on strike for fair pay and called for public support. Selin Nisa Çakıldak, who works at the Akasya Shopping Mall, stated during the strike, "We want fair compensation for our labor. We will resist until we receive our rights."

#SwatchGroupEmployeesOnStrike

Over 100 employees at 13 Swatch stores have gone on strike:

"The clocks have stopped, we are on strike for our labor."

?? At the Swiss watch giant Swatch, the cheapest watch is sold for 3,100 TL, and the most expensive watch is sold for 14,900 TL.

?? Swatch employees, regarding the deductions made to their salaries... pic.twitter.com/vlFA3JlQFP

— Fatoş Erdoğan (@puleragema) November 16, 2025

DISPUTE IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

The Koop-İş Union, affiliated with Türk-İş, had decided to go on strike after no agreement could be reached in the collective bargaining negotiations conducted with the Swatch Group. In line with this decision, Swatch employees have been carrying out a work stoppage for 7 days.

EMPLOYEE DEMANDS

The striking staff are demanding improvements to current working conditions and are calling for adjustments in the following areas:

• Salary increases for wages that remain just above the minimum wage
• Reducing weekly working hours to a humane level
• The right to two days off per week
• Provision of a welfare share
• Improvement in social benefits

News Source: 12punto