Interwoven: How the Better Work Program Improves Job and Life Quality in the Apparel Sector

This comprehensive World Bank report examines the Better Work program, an IFC-ILO-industry partnership launched in 2001 to improve working conditions in the global apparel sector. The program has helped over 1 million workers in more than 1,000 factories across eight countries by training local monitors to conduct inspections and bring factories into compliance with national laws and international standards.

The study provides both qualitative and quantitative evidence showing correlations between better working conditions and improved business performance, including reduced turnover and stronger bottom lines. Workers reported significant spillover effects beyond factory walls, with improved communication skills, reduced gender discrimination, and better family decision-making processes.

The report analyzes data from multiple countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, and Lesotho, examining how the program addresses the jobs crisis facing over a billion people of working age. It demonstrates that while the garment industry provides vital employment opportunities, particularly for women transitioning from agriculture, it has historically been associated with poor working conditions, low wages, and safety risks.

The findings suggest that creating 'good jobs' through programs like Better Work can simultaneously benefit workers, businesses, and broader communities, contributing to poverty reduction and gender equality while maintaining industrial competitiveness.