This report, published in September 2019, focuses on research exploring the labour challenges faced by the South Indian garment industry clustered around Tirupur.

We found that the industry is at a crossroads. Despite decades of growth it faces three main labour challenges – competitive threats from lower cost producing countries, labour shortages, and reputational challenges around decent work. There is a widespread belief in the industry that pay and working conditions have improved and that the worst forms of exploitation have declined. However, exploitation persists in a variety of forms.

We recommend that the industry and its stakeholders should collaborate to develop a shared Vision 2030 and goals to address decent work and economic growth in the sector, focused on freedom of movement, health and safety, and the development of worker-driven social responsibility. We offer 12 practical recommendations for key stakeholders to implement to tackle these focus areas.