Çimko has taken a pioneering step in the sector by combining its commitment to gender equality and local development. By employing two female concrete mixer drivers at its ready-mix concrete plant in Hatay, Çimko has contributed to increasing the employment rate of women in the region.
In line with its goals for sustainable growth, the company aims to enhance women’s participation in the workforce and strengthen their position in society. Gamze Özcan and Hikmet Ungan, who work as concrete mixer drivers at the Hatay plant, have become the first female mixer operators in Çimko’s history. This initiative sends an important message about gender equality, reinforcing the idea that “professions have no gender.”
Çimko CEO Dr. Önder Kırca emphasized that this meaningful employment is an important step not only for the company but also for the local community. Kırca stated, “At Çimko, we operate under the principle of ‘people first.’ After the earthquakes in 6th of Fabruary, we mobilized all our resources to help Hatay recover, and we continue our support. During this process, we took a step to increase the presence of women in the workforce, a rarity in our sector, by employing two female concrete mixer drivers. Especially Gamze and Hikmet, who wanted to work in Hatay, will create significant value for the region with their passion for both Hatay and their profession. They are transporting concrete, but it is especially meaningful that they are doing this for Hatay. They perfectly show the idea that ‘professions have no gender.’”
Kırca also noted that Çimko values the presence of women in society and the workforce in line with its sustainable growth goals, adding, “In our sector, the employment of women in the field is not as high as we would like it to be. We want more women to be part of the future of our industry. We have provided all the necessary conditions for our employees to improve their working environments and enhance the workspaces. We are taking responsibility with the goal of increasing female participation in the cement and concrete industry. We believe that the efforts of our operators will inspire all women.”
Hikmet Ungan, a concrete mixer operator at Çimko’s Antakya plant, said, “We have been working as concrete mixer operators at Çimko since September. After the earthquake that occured in 6th of February, which deeply affected all of us, we wanted to lend a hand to help Hatay rise again. It is an honor to show the courage to be the first and inspire other women.”
Gamze Özcan, on the other hand, stated, “The plant we work at is also our home. Çimko has provided us with everything we need. Being a female employee in this industry may seem unexpected, but everyone should know that professions have no gender. Wanting to succeed is enough.”
Çimko’s exemplary initiative aims to increase female employment in the sector and contribute to the fight for gender equality.
