Sustainable Garment Value Chains

Garment is a stepping stone for economic development in many of our partner countries. The garment sector provides work for thousands of people. Yet, its Value Chain is particularly challenging as production is fragmented across countries, and subcontracted to many different actors. A simple cotton T-shirt travels thousands of kilometres before before it reaches the final consumer, and hundreds of people get involved in its production. Lots remains to be done in terms of working conditions, environmental impact, social and labour conditions, and human rights on the Garment Value Chain.

The EC is cooperating with partners, including international organisations and civil society organisations, on a wide range of projects related to responsible management of the value chain in the garment sector.

These include activities to improve living wages, human and labour rights for workers, and to develop an enabling environment for both local and international investors through domestic reforms and good governance.

Key documents:

• Study on the responsible management of the supply chain in the garment sector

And please visit the Platform on responsible management of the supply chain in the garment sector on CapacityforDev.