The garment sector worldwide, is in many countries, the most visible face of globalization, employing millions of workers, of whom the large majority are women, and accounting for billions of dollars in exports. In some countries, garments account for over half of export earnings. Competition in the sector is very intense. There has been growing worldwide concern about the poor conditions faced by workers in the garment sector. It is clear that traditional approaches for improving working and employment conditions, relying particularly on labour inspection and organization, have been insufficient to respond to the new challenges posed by the rapid growth and mobility of this sector.

Action to improve conditions is hampered both by insufficient willingness to make the necessary investments and to change employment practices, and by a lack of practical tools that enterprises can use in taking corrective action to improve conditions. The capacity of garment contractors to improve basic conditions of work is very weak. There is a popular view amongst them that their poor conditions contribute to their competitiveness. Few have realized that the reality is the contrary, that in fact their poor working and employment conditions are one of the causes of low productivity and quality problems which, in turn, keep wages low.

The ILO's innovative WISE programme has been specifically adapted to the situation in the garment sector. Its application, such as in Haiti, demonstrates its effectiveness in promoting practical, simple, low-cost improvements.

The manual "Improving working conditions in the garment industry" is available in English, French and Spanish