The Better Work Programme’s Role in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Amidst Global Trade Uncertainty

Programme Overview and Contribution to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Better Work programme, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), operates in the garment, textile, and footwear sectors across 13 countries. Established 24 years ago, the programme’s primary objective is to advance key tenets of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by improving working conditions and promoting sustainable enterprises. Key activities directly supporting this goal include:

• Monitoring and improving working conditions in factories.
• Building capacity within factories and among constituents on issues such as occupational safety and health.
• Promoting social dialogue to ensure safe and decent work.
• Establishing fair wages and reasonable working hours.
• Enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the sector.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Responsible Production (SDG 17 & SDG 12)

The programme’s success is built upon a foundation of multi-stakeholder collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The ILO’s tripartite structure facilitates cooperation between governments, employers, and worker unions. This partnership extends to collaborations with major international brands from the US, UK, Europe, and Japan, promoting responsible business practices and sustainable supply chains. This focus on corporate responsibility and sustainable enterprise directly contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by ensuring international buyers can source from factories compliant with international labour standards.

Measured Impacts on Poverty, Gender Equality, and Industry (SDG 1, SDG 5, & SDG 9)

Over its 25-year history, the Better Work programme has demonstrated significant positive impacts across several Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1): By creating decent work opportunities in sustainable enterprises, the programme has been instrumental in lifting millions of people out of poverty.
2. Gender Equality (SDG 5): The programme has achieved notable success in advancing gender equality, marked by increased wages for women and the promotion of women into supervisory and leadership roles.
3. Sustainable Industrialization (SDG 9): By improving factory conditions and productivity, the programme enhances the competitiveness of the entire industry in participating countries, leading to increased orders and sustained growth.

Despite these successes, challenges remain, particularly concerning the freedom of association for unions, which is a critical component of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

The Impact of Trade Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty on SDG Progress

Current global trade uncertainty, particularly surrounding potential tariffs on goods imported into the United States, poses a significant threat to the progress made towards the SDGs. The resulting instability creates numerous challenges for the garment sector:

• Factories are unable to conduct effective short-term planning due to unpredictable future orders.
• There is growing concern over the ability to maintain consistent wage payments and job security, which directly threatens gains made under SDG 8.
• A potential closure of formal sector factories could push workers into the informal sector, where they have fewer protections. This would represent a significant setback for both SDG 8 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Vulnerable populations, such as migrant workers who constitute the majority of the garment workforce in countries like Jordan, are at heightened risk, further challenging the objectives of SDG 10.

Investment Risks and Implications for Worker Safety and Climate Action (SDG 9 & SDG 13)

Economic uncertainty discourages investment in factory improvements, directly impacting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). A critical area of concern is the potential decline in investment for occupational safety and health (OSH). This has direct implications for climate adaptation efforts under SDG 13 (Climate Action), as factories may halt investments needed to protect workers from climate-related hazards like severe heat stress, an issue of growing importance in regions like Pakistan where temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius.

Programme Continuity and Funding Challenges (SDG 17)

The sustainability of the Better Work programme is itself subject to global development funding trends. Recent cuts in funding from the United States have impacted programmes in Haiti and Jordan. This highlights the importance of diversified funding streams for maintaining resilient partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17. Continued support is essential for monitoring compliance with labour standards, building capacity, and mitigating risk for international buyers committed to sustainable sourcing.

Conclusion: The Imperative of Social Dialogue for Sustainable Development

The ILO remains committed to protecting workers and improving conditions across all sectors. In the face of economic uncertainty, the promotion of social dialogue at the factory, sectoral, and national levels is paramount. This collaborative approach is the most effective mechanism for making sustainable improvements, resolving disputes, and ensuring continued progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the ILO’s Better Work programme highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The programme’s focus on improving working conditions, promoting economic stability, and fostering partnerships in the global garment industry touches upon the core principles of these goals.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article explicitly states that “Over the quarter of a century of its existence, Better Work has lifted millions of people out of poverty.” This directly addresses the primary aim of SDG 1, which is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, by providing stable employment and income through the formal garment sector.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The programme’s impact on gender equality is mentioned as a key success. The article notes that studies show a “significant impact… by supporting gender-equality related issues, women’s empowerment and women getting more supervisory roles.” This aligns with SDG 5’s objective to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The Better Work programme is designed to “promote social dialogue, safe and decent work which includes fair wages and working hours.” It also focuses on “occupational safety and health,” protecting labour rights, and building productivity. The concern that factory closures could move jobs to the “informal sector where workers have fewer protections” further underscores the focus on decent work.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the programme’s role in industrial development, stating that it helps “develop a whole industry and make it competitive” and supports the “growth of the industry as a whole in participating countries.” This connects to SDG 9’s aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The programme’s collaboration with major brands “to promote responsible business practices” and the mention of having “reduced the environmental impact of the apparel sector” link directly to SDG 12. This goal encourages more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including urging companies to adopt sustainable practices.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire structure of the Better Work programme is based on partnerships. The article describes it as a “partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC),” highlights the ILO’s “tripartite organization” working with “governments, employers, the unions,” and its “close collaboration with major brands.” This embodies the spirit of SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation through global partnerships.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed.

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.

   The programme provides jobs in the “formal sector,” which serve as a crucial form of economic and social protection for workers and their families, helping to lift them out of poverty.

2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

   The article directly supports this target by citing the programme’s success in “women getting more supervisory roles,” indicating progress towards equal opportunities in leadership within the factories.

3. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

   The programme’s focus on “fair wages” and its reported success in “increasing wages” directly relate to this target’s call for equal pay and decent work.

4. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

   This is a core theme. The programme’s mandate to “monitor the working conditions in garment factories,” focus on “occupational safety and health” (e.g., fire safety, heat stress), and promote “social dialogue” and “freedom of association” are all central to this target.

5. Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

   The article mentions that the programme supports “sustainable enterprises” and contributes to the “growth of the industry as a whole,” aligning with the goal of fostering sustainable industrial development.

6. Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices.

   The programme’s “close collaboration with major brands from the US, UK, Europe and Japan to promote responsible business practices” is a direct implementation of this target.

7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article describes multiple partnerships that are key to the programme’s success: the ILO-IFC partnership, the tripartite collaboration between governments, employers, and unions, and the engagement with private sector brands. This perfectly illustrates the multi-stakeholder approach advocated by this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

• Indicators for SDG 1 & 8 (Poverty & Wages)

  • Change in wage levels: The article explicitly states that studies show the programme has been successful in “increasing wages.”
  • Number of formal sector jobs: The article highlights the importance of “jobs in the formal sector” and the risk of them moving to the informal sector.

• Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

  • Proportion of women in supervisory/managerial roles: This is directly mentioned as a measure of success: “women getting more supervisory roles.”

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work)

  • Compliance with safety standards: The article mentions “monitoring the working conditions” and provides a specific example of “inspection on fire safety equipment.” It also raises concerns about investment in addressing “heat stress.”
  • Factory productivity levels: The text notes that the programme has “helped build productivity in those sectors.”
  • Level of freedom of association: The article implies this is an indicator by stating that “freedom of association remains a big challenge.”

• Indicators for SDG 9 & 12 (Sustainable Industry & Responsible Production)

  • Adoption of responsible business practices by companies: The programme’s collaboration with brands to promote these practices is a key activity.
  • Growth of the garment industry in participating countries: The article notes that governments report the programme “supports confidence and thus growth of the industry.”
  • Reduction in environmental impact: While not detailed, the claim of having “reduced the environmental impact of the apparel sector” implies the use of environmental performance indicators.

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships)

  • Existence and number of multi-stakeholder partnerships: The article details the partnerships between the ILO, IFC, governments, employers, unions, and private brands as fundamental to the model.

Summary of Findings

Source: news.un.org