Industry leaders launched the Better Work Madagascar program to transform the country's apparel industry by improving working conditions and business productivity. A collaborative effort between International Labor Organization (ILO) and International Finance Corporation, the program launched with support from the European Union (EU) and partners from the government, employers' and workers' organizations and global brands, will contribute to the creation of decent employment and inclusive growth.

Garment production is the economy's main driver of growth in exports and formal employment creation in Madagascar, contributing to a third of total goods exports and over 100,000 jobs, 60 percent of whom are women.

Madagascar has been severely affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy has been shaken by the decrease in exports, loss of market share and loss of jobs. Thus, the timing for this intervention is crucial and offers an opportunity for development for the sector.

The planned intervention aims to boost the country's compliance and competitiveness via a two-pronged approach:

To provide services – such as training, advisory and assessment support – to garment factory managers and workers based on proven Better Work tools and methodology.

To target industry stakeholders from the government, employers' and workers' organizations to strengthen their skill sets and respective roles in the country's supply chain.

The Better Work approach is one built to enable national actors to carry on with an improved way of working, so that the positive changes instituted by the program are sustainable.