About Us
Better Work promotes decent work and competitiveness in the global garment industry
A partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Better Work unites governments, employers' and workers' organizations, global brands, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions in the global apparel and footwear industry and make the sector more competitive.
Our work
Our factory engagement model creates lasting, positive change via tools like assessments, advisory services and training, complementing Better Work’s sectoral and national level engagement to change policies, attitudes and behaviour. By sharing our approach and the results of our on-the-ground work, we seek to inform policy making to promote decent work and better business in the garment industry.
Where We Work
On-the-ground in 13 countries across three continents, we create lasting and measurable impact in the industry
Global Overview
Better Work unites governments, global brands, factory owners, unions and workers to improve working conditions in the global apparel and footwear industry and make the sector more competitive. It has programmes in twelve countries
Countries
13
Brands and Retailers
47
Factories
2,186
Workers
3,412,765
Our Partners
We bring all levels of the garment industry together to improve working conditions and drive sustainability
Our Evidence
An independent impact assessment of 15,000 workers and 2,000 managers shows that Better Work has:
Increased productivity in factories by up to
22
%
Reduced sexual harassment concerns by
18
%
Increased profitability in factories by up to
25
%
Increased women’s access to prenatal care by
26
%
Decreased gender pay gap by up to
17
%
Our Development Partners
The Better Work Programme is supported by the following key development partners. Additional funding is provided by the factories, participating brands and local donors (see country pages).
Better Work’s current Strategic Phase: Sustaining our impact in 2022-27 and beyond
Strategic Priorities
- Business Performance
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Data and Evidence
- Social Dialogue
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Protection
- Gender Equality & Inclusion
- Wages
Better Work five-year strategy (2022-27) embraces innovation around a set of strategic priorities to adapt to the needs of the garment and footwear industry around the world.