ISLAMABAD: A new report from Better Work Pakistan (BWP) reveals significant improvements in the performance of participating garment and textile factories, alongside a rise in buyer confidence in sourcing from Pakistan. The report, which is the first comprehensive synthesis of its kind, demonstrates that factories involved with BWP show stronger operational resilience and improved workplace outcomes compared to non-participating counterparts.
According to United Nations Pakistan, the report draws on data collected during Better Work Pakistan’s pilot phase from 2022 to 2025, including factory assessments and buyer surveys. It indicates that more than two-thirds of the participating factories have noted enhanced worker productivity and morale, as well as advancements in occupational safety and health. Furthermore, around 60 percent of these factories reported improvements in market access and business risk mitigation, pointing to the positive impact of improved labor compliance on business performance.
The report also underscores the resilience of Pakistan’s export-oriented garment sector amidst economic challenges, with 88 percent of surveyed factories experiencing rising operating costs in 2025. Despite this, 42 percent maintained stable export values, and 39 percent achieved export growth. The report emphasized the need for continued improvements in occupational safety, emergency preparedness, and worker understanding of employment terms to maintain this momentum.
A survey of international buyers revealed cautious optimism, with 33 percent indicating a likelihood of increasing sourcing from Pakistan in the next two to three years, contingent on ongoing improvements in labor compliance and supply chain transparency. The findings reflect a broader global trend towards prioritizing sustainability and transparency in supply chains.
Ivo Spauwen, Programme Manager of Better Work Pakistan, stated, “This report marks an important milestone for Better Work Pakistan and for the sector as a whole. For the first time, we have a rigorous, factory-level evidence base that speaks directly to what buyers, government, and industry need to know.”
Since its inception in 2022, Better Work Pakistan has expanded its reach from 78 to 135 factories by 2025, impacting over 300,000 workers. The program plans to extend its engagement to additional enterprises across Punjab and Sindh, and into other export sectors, building on the successes of its pilot phase.