Abstract
The textile and ready-made garment sector in India holds huge socio-economic significance. Besides contributing 7 per cent to industry output, in value terms, 2 per cent to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 12 per cent to the country’s export earnings, the sector also feeds the entire textile value chain that directly employs over 35 million workers. This includes cotton farmers, migrant workers, intermediate handloom weavers, artisans, factory workers and small retailers, and even corporates and exporters. The sector is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with huge potential for employment generation. The manual highlights the need for responsible management practices for resource efficiency and internal productivity with the aim to enable Indian ready-made garment manufacturing units to become globally competitive and responsible player in the global supply chains. The manual presents 50 good management practices, drawing on global findings from various ILO programmes, such as Better Work and Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE). Each practice in the manual demonstrates the combined effect of labour and capital.