ABOUT US
Present in 13 countries across three continents, Better Work brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, global brands, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions in the garment industry and make the sector more competitive.
- THE PROGRAMME
- GOVERNANCE
- OUR TEAM
- OUR PARTNERS
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How brands and retailers can get involved How factories can get involved Media and general inquiries
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WHAT WE DO
Better Work engages with the garment industry at the factory, national and international levels. We engage with factories through assessment, advisory and training visits, and we use our data and evidence to inform national and international policy discussions.
GET INVOLVED
How brands and retailers can get involved How factories can get involved Media and general inquiries
Looking for something else? Please use the contact us option to connect with a specific office or department that can best meet your needs.
WHERE WE WORK
Better Work began in Cambodia over 20 years ago. Since then, we have expanded to 13 country programmes, with opportunities for further expansion - to new countries and new industries - on the horizon.
- COUNTRY PROGRAMMES
- THEMATIC INTERVENTIONS
  - Madagascar
  - Sri Lanka
GET INVOLVED
How brands and retailers can get involved How factories can get involved Media and general inquiries
Looking for something else? Please use the contact us option to connect with a specific office or department that can best meet your needs.
OUR EVIDENCE
Better Work collects data from factory assessment and advisory visits, and we work with reputable, independent academic researchers who report findings on the efficacy of our work and trends in the broader industry.
GET INVOLVED
How brands and retailers can get involved How factories can get involved Media and general inquiries
Looking for something else? Please use the contact us option to connect with a specific office or department that can best meet your needs.

The Programme

Better Work – a collaboration between the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group – is a comprehensive programme bringing together all levels of the garment industry to improve working conditions, respect of workers’ labour rights and boost the competitiveness of apparel and footwear businesses.

Our vision

An apparel sector that has lifted millions of people out of poverty and reduced its environmental impacts by creating safe and decent jobs in sustainable enterprises that empower women and in which workers and employers can exercise their fundamental rights.

As a result of their participation in Better Work, factories have steadily improved compliance with the ILO’s core labour standards and national legislation covering compensation, contracts and working time. This has significantly improved working conditions and, at the same time, enhanced factories’ productivity and profitability.

In addition to engaging directly with factories, Better Work collaborates with governments to promote alignment with national labour laws and the ILO’s international labour standards and to build the capacity of labour inspectors to enforce compliance. We work closely with global apparel brands to ensure progress at the factory level is sustained.

We collaborate with employer and worker organizations to provide them with data and insights from the industry, and we work with unions to build their capacity to strengthen workers’ voices. And, we work with development partners to help achieve their broader development goals. Better Work’s activities are guided by Sustaining Impact: Better Work Strategy, 2022-27.

The Programme

Our vision

An apparel sector that has lifted millions of people out of poverty and reduced its environmental impacts by creating safe and decent jobs in sustainable enterprises that empower women and in which workers and employers can exercise their fundamental rights.

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