Restructuring of production and labour under globalization: A study of the textile and garment industry in India

The specific objectives of the study are: (1) to examine the impact of trade liberalization policies, including the expiry of quotas, on the competitiveness of the industry, on the growth of employment and productivity in the formal and informal sectors, and on different subsectors; (2) to evaluate the changing composition and structure of the industry in the context of the recent changes in the textile policy, that is, how the industry has responded and adjusted in terms of organizing production, se of technology and foreign direct investment, foreign collaborations, product diversification, recruitment an employment policy, outsourcing and subcontracting, social protection and so on; and (3) to make policy recommendations for enhancing the quantity as well as quality of employment of men and women in different segments of the industry.

The study examines the validity o the policy of promoting exports and treating them as a driver of growth of the industrial sector in general and the textile and garment industry in particular. In other words, the study examines whether the present policy of focusing on export-based industrial development in India is desirable at this stage.

The study also investigates the impact of the global financial crisis on the textile and garment industry in India, particularly on workers and small producers. It draws policy inferences based on this investigation.