BANGKOK - Asia remains the garment factory of the world but the sector faces an array of challenges many of which have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The study, which reviews employment, wages and labour productivity in the Asian garment sector from 2010-19, says the industry still accounts for 55 per cent of global textiles and clothing exports and employs some 60 million workers.
However, challenges include rising labour costs, automation, ‘reshoring’ and ‘nearshoring’, as well as pressure to reduce environmental impact and improve wages and working conditions.
