"OUR EMPLOYEES ARE VERY VALUABLE TO US."

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, all government institutions and every segment of our society have taken all necessary precautions and started implementing the rules related to the process. Positive results have also begun to be achieved at the latest stage of this process.

As is well known, this pandemic has affected the entire country, and positive cases have been detected in many workplaces, public institutions, and even under the roof of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Being aware that the pandemic will not disappear from our lives suddenly, it is essential to continue our lives by adhering to the precautions and rules taken, and to continue production for our country. Since its establishment, the health of our employees has been Kipaş Holding’s top priority and above all else. However, in recent days, the deliberate and malicious association of the virus with our company’s name on some social media platforms, intended to damage Kipaş Holding’s reputation, has deeply saddened us and caused panic and concern among our employees.

Within this scope, there has arisen a need to accurately inform the public about the efforts made and important measures taken within our company.

KİPAŞ HOLDİNG HAS TAKEN ALL NECESSARY MEASURES

First of all, based on Article 7 of the Provincial General Hygiene Assembly decision dated 16.03.2020, which states that “Law enforcement agencies shall investigate and initiate necessary inquiries regarding baseless news on social media (WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and similar platforms) that cause public outrage and panic,” we have also initiated legal proceedings to ensure that the relevant government institutions take legal action against those who violate these decisions.

As Kipaş Holding, we stand by our employees during this difficult time and will continue to do so. There is absolutely no compromise when it comes to the measures and practices to be implemented. Every member of the Kipaş Family is very valuable to us. Accordingly, in all our companies, the instructions from the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries regarding the necessary precautions to be taken in companies against the COVID-19 pandemic are being strictly followed.

In our facilities located within the borders of Kahramanmaraş and affiliated with our holding, there are 5 full-time doctors, 5 part-time doctors, 22 healthcare personnel, and 19 full-time Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialists employed. Within this scope, the work we have carried out is as follows:

  • During the pandemic process, an emergency action committee was first established, and the measures taken and to be taken were discussed in detail.
  • Short-, medium-, and long-term plans were made regarding the measures to be implemented.
  • A WhatsApp group was created for effective and rapid communication with all our units.
  • All employees coming to work were health-checked by measuring their temperature with thermal cameras.
  • Areas such as the cafeteria, shuttle buses, and changing rooms were regularly disinfected, and social distancing rules were enforced among our employees.
  • Free masks were distributed to all our employees.
  • Regular warning and informative messages were sent to all employees via bulk SMS.
  • Antiseptic mats were placed at entrance and exit doors.
  • Seating arrangements were adjusted in our shuttles and cafeterias to maintain social distancing for our employees.
  • A 24/7 hotline was established for all employees to reach at any time, and necessary equipment support was provided to our Health Directorate.
  • Bottled water usage was introduced in our cafeterias, and cutlery was distributed via package service.
  • Remote working systems were implemented in some of our units.
  • Hand sanitizers were placed at office entrances and facilities.
  • Informative videos and slides about workplace and social environment rules related to the pandemic were prepared and shared with employees via LED screens in our shuttles.

As is well known, our country is going through difficult times both economically and health-wise. Like every responsible producer, we are obliged to operate our businesses partially in order to ensure the continuity of our national economy and to prevent potential unemployment, provided that we fully comply with all the measures announced by the Ministry of Health. Indeed, in order to meet the needs of the country, our production of yarn and fabric used in mask manufacturing continues in our facilities. Within this scope, partial operations have been initiated in some departments, and a portion of our employees have been called to duty. During the 16-hour period within a 24-hour day when our facility is not operational or when employees are completely on leave, we do not have the means to know which social environments our personnel are in or whether they comply with the rules. Nevertheless, upon returning from leave, our employees are directed to the workplace health unit for thorough health checks.

Despite all these measures taken, as can happen anywhere, a few of our employees have been infected upon returning from leave at our workplace. Those showing symptoms were reported to the Provincial Health Directorate, and any contacts were given leave and isolated. During this process, our workplace, like other workplaces, was inspected by the Provincial Health Directorate.

WE ARE ALWAYS BY OUR EMPLOYEES' SIDE

Kipaş Holding is an important company for our country, operating in the fields of textile, cement, paper, energy, and education. Kipaş Tekstil has 20 affiliated facilities. Our group companies employ over 11,000 workers who operate with state-of-the-art machinery.

Each of our employees is entrusted to us. Fully aware of our responsibility, we are doing what is necessary and will continue to do so. As Kipaş Holding, our sincere hope is that, as a country, we overcome this pandemic as soon as possible by coming together even more closely and growing stronger.

Within this scope, we hereby announce to the public that we have initiated criminal and legal proceedings against those who make baseless and ill-intentioned statements that cause panic and concern among the public and our employees.

KIPAS HOLDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS