Ethical codes: reality and rhetoric - a study of Sri Lanka's apparel sector

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Description/Abstract

This report provides initial findings from a three year study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, on evolving labour practice responses to ethical trading initiatives at sites of production which focuses on the Sri Lankan apparel sector (Grant number: RES-061-25-0181). The report focuses on what the Sri Lankan apparel sector’s evolution into value-added apparel production implies for labour conditions and practices at production sites. It is also interested in exploring what local institutional factors enables Sri Lanka to position itself as a supplier engaged in ethical production and the extent to which the ‘garments without guilt’ initiative rests upon legitimate adherence to global ethical code regimes. Issues of paramount importance as the world economy go through a downturn. This report is intended as a sole key point summary primarily targeting the non-academic community as its readership; those interested in detailed findings of the project should contact Dr. Kanchana N. Ruwanpura (k.n.ruwanpura@soton.ac.uk)