This paper is intended to serve as a basis for discussion at the Global Dialogue Forum
on Wages and Working Hours in the Textiles, Clothing, Leather and Footwear Industries.
At its 319th Session (October 2013), the ILO Governing Body decided that the Forum
would be held from 23 to 25 September 2014, would be composed of ten Worker and ten
Employer participants, selected after consultations with their respective groups of the
Governing Body, and would be open to all interested governments; and that representatives
of certain intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations would be
invited to attend.
1
Its purpose is to discuss ways to address wages and working hours in
the textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industries, taking into account the
national contexts and the related international labour standards, with a view to adopting
points of consensus that would inform future policy development. The previous meeting
relating to these industries was held in 2005. 2
This paper, published under the authority of the International Labour Office, includes
information from sources including ILO publications, academic studies and statistical
databases. It was prepared by the Sectoral Activities Department (SECTOR), with
contributions from the Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) and
Governance and Tripartism (GOVERNANCE) Departments.