Sulochana Silva Shares Key Findings on the Apparel Industry’s Response to COVID-19 at the HDCA Conference in India

24 – 26 September 2024

At the Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA) Conference, IPS Research Assistant Sulochana Silva presented key findings from the research study “Apparel Industry Response to COVID-19: Measures to Minimise Impact on Women Workers.” This study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and the National Planning Department, Sri Lanka, and funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the #WomenRise initiative, examines how the apparel industry responded to the pandemic and the effectiveness of government policy measures aimed at supporting female workers. In Sri Lanka, the majority of garment workers are women, and the pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in their labour rights, workplace safety, and financial security.

In her presentation, Sulochana highlighted key insights from the study findings:

• Companies faced major challenges maintaining operations as the main export-earning industry while ensuring worker safety, underscoring the need for more robust financial support and crisis management systems.
• The industry’s response highlighted critical gaps in knowledge, capacity, and policy frameworks that limited their ability to manage the crisis effectively.
• Drawing on international best practices, the study proposed recommendations for improving the resilience of the apparel industry through better crisis preparedness, stronger labour protections, and enhanced worker support systems.

The HDCA conference, held in Science City, Kolkata, India marked a special milestone as it celebrated its 20th anniversary and honoured Prof Amartya Sen, HDCA’s first president, who has been pivotal in advancing the “Capabilities Approach”, which was central to the conference theme, “Crises, Capabilities, and Commitment.”

The event brought together academics, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide to explore how the capabilities approach can be applied to enhance human development. The study findings provide valuable insights into how industries, particularly in developing countries, can better safeguard their workforce during future crises.