The contemporary changes in subcontracting of Istanbul's apparel industry: An Analysis of syrian refugees' bargaining power in global capitalism

The apparel industry, which has been the driving force of the European economy since the Industrial Revolution, and therefore its Istanbul branch, is deeply tied to the chains of global capitalism. The non-skilled positions in the sector are occupied mainly by minority groups, immigrants with or without documentation. After their migration, Syrian refugees have started to occupy a vital position within this system through subcontracting in the workshops. This fact demonstrates a shift in labor dynamics and population in the textile industry of Turkey. This thesis investigates how the shift of demographic changes has occurred and how it is related to globalization, multi-staged production, and subcontracting in particular. The main aim is to understand and evaluate in which conditions these changes took place and how the former and new-coming workers' bargaining power is established through these changes.