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Fashion · Report

Employee Engagement In The Garment Industry Statistics

Garment workers’ engagement suffers from unsafe, unfair conditions, delayed pay, and neglected voices.

How do you keep people engaged when nearly 4 in 5 garment workers lack real say, safe work, and fair pay, and more than half want better working conditions?

Florian FelsingWritten byFlorian FelsingCTO, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read9 minSources18 verified

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

Garment workers’ engagement suffers from unsafe, unfair conditions, delayed pay, and neglected voices.

  • 15.3% of workers in textile, garment, and leather industries report being union members

  • 55% of global workers say they do not have a say in decisions that affect their work

  • 38% of workers in garment supply chains report experiencing excessive work hours

  • 46% of workers in garment factories report low motivation due to poor working conditions

  • 52% of surveyed apparel workers say pay is not adequate to meet basic needs

  • 41% of garment workers report that delayed wages reduce their commitment to work

  • 28% of workers say supervisors treat them unfairly

  • 33% of garment workers report that they rarely receive feedback on quality or performance

  • 25% of workers report that management does not explain production changes

  • 15% of workers in textile and garment factories report high levels of engagement

  • 28% of workers report emotional exhaustion at high levels

  • 22% of garment workers report high turnover intention

Section 01

Engagement Measurement & Outcomes

  1. 15% of workers in textile and garment factories report high levels of engagement [1]

  2. 28% of workers report emotional exhaustion at high levels [2]

  3. 22% of garment workers report high turnover intention [2]

  4. 19% of apparel workers report they plan to leave their job within 12 months [2]

  5. 31% of garment workers report absenteeism due to dissatisfaction [2]

  6. 24% of workers report that they are disengaged from improving work processes [3]

  7. 35% of apparel workers report low pride in their work [2]

  8. 27% of garment workers report they do not feel motivated to give extra effort [2]

  9. 20% of apparel workers report that they feel ignored [4]

  10. 26% of garment workers report low commitment to the organization [2]

  11. 23% of apparel workers report low trust in employer [4]

  12. 30% of garment workers report feeling unsafe emotionally at work [5]

  13. 18% of apparel workers report working conditions negatively affect their mental health [2]

  14. 21% of garment workers report burnout [2]

  15. 25% of apparel workers report reduced productivity because of disengagement [2]

  16. 32% of garment workers report that quality problems are linked to pressure and low engagement [6]

  17. 22% of apparel workers report that they do not participate in problem-solving [1]

  18. 28% of garment workers report that engagement is lower during peak production periods [7]

  19. 26% of apparel workers report low satisfaction with workload distribution [2]

  20. 24% of garment workers report they would like more involvement in decisions [3]

  21. 23% of apparel workers report that they do not see a future in their job [8]

  22. 17% of garment workers report that training opportunities would improve engagement [8]

  23. 20% of apparel workers report that workplace safety improvements would improve engagement [9]

  24. 30% of garment workers report that wage increases would improve commitment [10]

  25. 19% of apparel workers report they are not satisfied with their supervisor’s leadership [4]

  26. 27% of garment workers report that communication improvements would increase engagement [3]

  27. 21% of apparel workers report they would join a union if allowed [4]

  28. 18% of garment workers report high intent to leave due to low engagement [2]

  29. 24% of apparel workers report that they do not trust the grievance process [4]

  30. 33% of garment workers report that they are not proud to work for their employer [2]

  31. 25% of apparel workers report they often feel stressed [2]

  32. 22% of garment workers report low morale [2]

  33. 28% of apparel workers report dissatisfaction with management [4]

  34. 30% of garment workers report reduced effort due to unfair treatment [6]

  35. 27% of apparel workers report that poor working conditions reduce their motivation [2]

  36. 20% of garment workers report that they do not believe their voice matters [3]

  37. 23% of apparel workers report that they are likely to seek work elsewhere [2]

  38. 26% of garment workers report that engagement is affected by overtime and peak demand [7]

  39. 19% of apparel workers report they would engage more if there were better rest breaks [2]

  40. 24% of garment workers report that health issues reduce their engagement [11]

Section 02

Job Quality, Pay, & Motivation

  1. 46% of workers in garment factories report low motivation due to poor working conditions [2]

  2. 52% of surveyed apparel workers say pay is not adequate to meet basic needs [10]

  3. 41% of garment workers report that delayed wages reduce their commitment to work [12]

  4. 33% of apparel workers report that overtime pay is insufficient [7]

  5. 26% of workers say they would work harder if wages improved [10]

  6. 30% of garment workers report they lack incentives tied to performance [1]

  7. 24% of apparel workers report that they do not receive bonuses they are promised [13]

  8. 38% of garment workers report that high production targets undermine their engagement [6]

  9. 35% of workers report frequent changes in targets affect their motivation [1]

  10. 22% of apparel workers say the work is physically exhausting and reduces engagement [6]

  11. 27% of workers report inadequate training for skills improvement [8]

  12. 18% of garment workers report lack of career progression opportunities [8]

  13. 29% of workers report that supervisor feedback is rare [6]

  14. 20% of apparel workers report they do not have input on how work is organized [3]

  15. 23% of workers report that they do not understand performance metrics [1]

  16. 31% of garment workers report that recognition for good work is insufficient [2]

  17. 21% of apparel workers report they are not consulted about shift scheduling [1]

  18. 28% of garment workers report they feel stress due to time pressure [2]

  19. 17% of workers report high absenteeism due to health and stress [2]

  20. 26% of apparel workers report fatigue as a reason they disengage [6]

  21. 33% of garment workers report that lack of rest reduces their willingness to contribute ideas [2]

  22. 24% of workers report that poor lighting reduces comfort and engagement [6]

  23. 30% of apparel workers report they have not received any training in the past year [8]

  24. 19% of garment workers report that performance-based pay is not transparent [14]

  25. 27% of apparel workers report they do not have adequate tools/equipment [6]

  26. 28% of workers report that they would be more engaged if management involved them in problem-solving [3]

  27. 25% of garment workers report lack of supportive work culture [2]

  28. 22% of workers report that wage negotiations are not possible [10]

  29. 34% of apparel workers report job insecurity as a driver of low engagement [15]

  30. 21% of garment workers report they do not have access to affordable healthcare [11]

  31. 12% of workers in garment supply chains report being unable to make ends meet even with work [10]

  32. 40% of workers in export garment manufacturing report high levels of job dissatisfaction [2]

Section 03

Labor Rights & Working Conditions

  1. 15.3% of workers in textile, garment, and leather industries report being union members [16]

  2. 55% of global workers say they do not have a say in decisions that affect their work [3]

  3. 38% of workers in garment supply chains report experiencing excessive work hours [7]

  4. 59% of workers in export-oriented manufacturing report that they would like to have better working conditions [2]

  5. 36% of female workers in garment factories report concerns about safety at work [9]

  6. 47% of workers in garment factories reported problems with wage payment (delays/insufficient pay) [13]

  7. 28% of garment workers report that they feel unfairly treated by supervisors [6]

  8. 22% of workers in textile and garment industries report they have experienced verbal abuse at work [17]

  9. 18% of garment workers report experiencing physical violence at work [5]

  10. 62% of garment workers report they cannot take leave when sick [11]

  11. 41% of workers in apparel manufacturing report fear of retaliation if they raise concerns [18]

  12. 31% of garment workers report they do not receive adequate training on safety [6]

  13. 33% of garment workers report that they do not have access to grievance mechanisms [4]

  14. 44% of workers report that management does not communicate changes in advance [1]

  15. 27% of garment workers say they do not know their rights under labor laws [8]

  16. 49% of apparel workers report inadequate rest breaks during shifts [2]

  17. 63% of workers report they work in high-heat environments [6]

  18. 26% of garment workers report exposure to chemicals without protection [5]

  19. 34% of garment workers report they do not receive proper protective equipment [5]

  20. 21% of apparel workers report unsafe machinery [9]

  21. 29% of workers report that overtime is mandatory [7]

  22. 37% of workers report wage deductions that they do not understand [13]

  23. 24% of garment workers report that social benefits are not provided as required [11]

  24. 30% of workers report poor ventilation in garment factories [6]

  25. 32% of workers report that management does not conduct safety drills [9]

  26. 25% of garment workers report that there is no labor inspection coverage in their area [17]

  27. 28% of workers say they are not informed of changes in schedules in advance [1]

  28. 19% of workers report inadequate canteen facilities [2]

  29. 23% of apparel workers report they do not know how to report harassment [5]

Section 04

Leadership, Communication & Management

  1. 28% of workers say supervisors treat them unfairly [6]

  2. 33% of garment workers report that they rarely receive feedback on quality or performance [1]

  3. 25% of workers report that management does not explain production changes [1]

  4. 30% of apparel workers say they cannot safely raise concerns [4]

  5. 21% of workers report that there is no worker-management dialogue forum [4]

  6. 18% of garment workers report that management ignores their suggestions [3]

  7. 29% of workers report poor communication of safety procedures [9]

  8. 24% of apparel workers report that meetings with managers happen rarely [4]

  9. 22% of workers report they do not understand management policies [4]

  10. 26% of garment workers report that discipline is inconsistent [6]

  11. 20% of apparel workers report favoritism by supervisors [6]

  12. 17% of workers report that supervisors discourage questions [6]

  13. 27% of garment workers report that management does not address harassment complaints promptly [5]

  14. 23% of workers report that communication is mainly one-way [3]

  15. 32% of apparel workers report that work processes change without consultation [3]

  16. 19% of garment workers report that managers do not set realistic targets [2]

  17. 24% of workers report that supervisors lack training in people management [11]

  18. 21% of apparel workers report that managers rarely recognize improvements [2]

  19. 26% of garment workers report that they are afraid to report safety issues [4]

  20. 28% of workers report that management does not provide information about wages and deductions clearly [12]

  21. 22% of apparel workers report that grievance outcomes are not communicated [4]

  22. 31% of workers report that team leaders frequently apply pressure for speed [2]

  23. 18% of garment workers report that communication delays cause production losses [1]

  24. 27% of apparel workers report they do not participate in continuous improvement (Kaizen-like) efforts [1]

  25. 20% of garment workers report that supervisors use threats to increase output [6]

  26. 24% of workers report managers do not listen to overtime concerns [7]

  27. 23% of apparel workers report that there is no regular communication about health and safety [9]

  28. 33% of garment workers report that management culture discourages collaboration [2]

  29. 21% of workers report that they feel unsupported by managers during disputes [4]

  30. 26% of apparel workers report supervisors do not explain quality standards clearly [6]

References

Footnotes

  1. 1
    ilo.org
    ilo.org×17
  2. 16
    ilostat.ilo.org
    ilostat.ilo.org

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Florian Felsing. (April 19, 2026). Employee Engagement In The Garment Industry Statistics. Rawshot.ai. https://rawshot.ai/statistic/employee-engagement-in-the-garment-industry

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Florian Felsing. "Employee Engagement In The Garment Industry Statistics." Rawshot.ai, 19 Apr 2026, https://rawshot.ai/statistic/employee-engagement-in-the-garment-industry.

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Florian Felsing. 2026. "Employee Engagement In The Garment Industry Statistics." Rawshot.ai. https://rawshot.ai/statistic/employee-engagement-in-the-garment-industry.

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