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International Partnerships

Overview

The Better Work programme seeks to enhance working conditions and business performance in the global garment and footwear industry through fostering collaboration among governments, employers, workers, and brands.

Better Work operates in 13 countries and engages with over 2,200 factories and 3.6 million workers. It employs a factory engagement model to improve compliance with international labour standards and national regulations, which includes assessments, advisory services, and training to promote decent work. The programme also works at sectoral and national levels to influence policies and collaborates with global brands to promote responsible business conduct and ethical purchasing practices.

Strategic priorities for 2022–2027 include business performance, occupational safety and health, data and evidence, social dialogue, environmental sustainability, social protection, gender equality, and wages. Impact assessments have shown improvements such as up to a 22% increase in productivity, a 25% rise in profitability, and a 17% reduction in the gender pay gap.

Please visit the project website or contact us to find out how this support can benefit you.

Website

Key information

Start date

2007

End date

2027

Target group(s)

Civil society organisations; Trade unions; Government institutions; National human rights institutions (NHRI); Companies; Smallholders and cooperatives; Business associations; Workers; Local communities; Multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSI); Industry initiatives

Sector(s)

Garment and textile; Energy and extractives; Other

Type of initiative

Country level

Countries of intervention

Bangladesh; Cambodia; Egypt; Ethiopia; Haiti; Indonesia; Jordan; Madagascar; Nicaragua; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Uzbekistan; Viet Nam 

Type(s) of support

Information & guidance on due diligence; Tools for risk assessment & reporting; International policy dialogue; Multi-stakeholder collaboration; Capacity building & training; Support to regulatory environment

Type(s) of contributor

EU  institution; EU Member State

Contributor(s)

Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BUZA); Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); European Union; State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Implementing organisation(s)

International Labour Organisation (ILO); International Finance Corporation (IFC)