Bangkok (ILO News) - The Regional Development Cooperation Section at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed a Cooperation Agreement to start a new project designed to promote decent work, gender equality and environmental sustainability in the garment sector supply chains in Asia.

“In many developing countries, global supply chains have created employment opportunities and have contributed to economic and social development. There is also evidence, however, that the dynamics of production in global supply chains can have a negative impact on working conditions and workers’ rights as well as environmental sustainability,” said Åsa Hedén, Head of Development Cooperation Regional Asia and the Pacific, at the Embassy of Sweden, in Thailand.

Starting in January 2019, the project “Decent Work in the Garment Sector Supply Chains in Asia” will focus on the garment supply chains in Asia, notably South-Asia, South-East Asia and China, which play a very significant role in the international division of garment production.

The overarching goal of the project is to contribute to improved working conditions and rights of women and men workers as well as improved productivity and environmental sustainability of the garment sector in Asia.

With the support of governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations and other private sector organizations, the project will strengthen knowledge of research findings, good practices and tools in four main areas:

• Social dialogue and industrial relations systems;
• Advancement of gender equality;
• Enhanced productivity and competitiveness;
• Reduced environmental impact

Secondly, by strengthening coordination among the many stakeholders already actively working to ensure decent work in the garment industry in Asia, the project will contribute to better knowledge-sharing and synergies of action

The project is funded by the Regional Development Cooperation Section of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok. It will be managed by the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in close collaboration with ILO Country Offices and with the technical support of ILO’s two decent work technical teams (DWTs) in Bangkok and Delhi as well as multiple specialist departments at ILO headquarters.

For further information please contact:

Sara Andersson
Junior Professional Officer
International Labour Organization, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
andersson@ilo.org