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?
Executive Summary
Key Takeaways
- 01
15.3% of workers in textile, garment, and leather industries report being union members
- 02
55% of global workers say they do not have a say in decisions that affect their work
- 03
38% of workers in garment supply chains report experiencing excessive work hours
- 04
46% of workers in garment factories report low motivation due to poor working conditions
- 05
52% of surveyed apparel workers say pay is not adequate to meet basic needs
- 06
41% of garment workers report that delayed wages reduce their commitment to work
- 07
28% of workers say supervisors treat them unfairly
- 08
33% of garment workers report that they rarely receive feedback on quality or performance
- 09
25% of workers report that management does not explain production changes
- 10
15% of workers in textile and garment factories report high levels of engagement
- 11
28% of workers report emotional exhaustion at high levels
- 12
22% of garment workers report high turnover intention
Section 01
Engagement Measurement & Outcomes
15% of workers in textile and garment factories report high levels of engagement [1]
28% of workers report emotional exhaustion at high levels [2]
22% of garment workers report high turnover intention [2]
19% of apparel workers report they plan to leave their job within 12 months [2]
31% of garment workers report absenteeism due to dissatisfaction [2]
24% of workers report that they are disengaged from improving work processes [3]
35% of apparel workers report low pride in their work [2]
27% of garment workers report they do not feel motivated to give extra effort [2]
20% of apparel workers report that they feel ignored [4]
26% of garment workers report low commitment to the organization [2]
23% of apparel workers report low trust in employer [4]
30% of garment workers report feeling unsafe emotionally at work [5]
18% of apparel workers report working conditions negatively affect their mental health [2]
21% of garment workers report burnout [2]
25% of apparel workers report reduced productivity because of disengagement [2]
32% of garment workers report that quality problems are linked to pressure and low engagement [6]
22% of apparel workers report that they do not participate in problem-solving [1]
28% of garment workers report that engagement is lower during peak production periods [7]
26% of apparel workers report low satisfaction with workload distribution [2]
24% of garment workers report they would like more involvement in decisions [3]
23% of apparel workers report that they do not see a future in their job [8]
17% of garment workers report that training opportunities would improve engagement [8]
20% of apparel workers report that workplace safety improvements would improve engagement [9]
30% of garment workers report that wage increases would improve commitment [10]
19% of apparel workers report they are not satisfied with their supervisor’s leadership [4]
27% of garment workers report that communication improvements would increase engagement [3]
21% of apparel workers report they would join a union if allowed [4]
18% of garment workers report high intent to leave due to low engagement [2]
24% of apparel workers report that they do not trust the grievance process [4]
33% of garment workers report that they are not proud to work for their employer [2]
25% of apparel workers report they often feel stressed [2]
22% of garment workers report low morale [2]
28% of apparel workers report dissatisfaction with management [4]
30% of garment workers report reduced effort due to unfair treatment [6]
27% of apparel workers report that poor working conditions reduce their motivation [2]
20% of garment workers report that they do not believe their voice matters [3]
23% of apparel workers report that they are likely to seek work elsewhere [2]
26% of garment workers report that engagement is affected by overtime and peak demand [7]
19% of apparel workers report they would engage more if there were better rest breaks [2]
24% of garment workers report that health issues reduce their engagement [11]
Section 02
Job Quality, Pay, & Motivation
46% of workers in garment factories report low motivation due to poor working conditions [2]
52% of surveyed apparel workers say pay is not adequate to meet basic needs [10]
41% of garment workers report that delayed wages reduce their commitment to work [12]
33% of apparel workers report that overtime pay is insufficient [7]
26% of workers say they would work harder if wages improved [10]
30% of garment workers report they lack incentives tied to performance [1]
24% of apparel workers report that they do not receive bonuses they are promised [13]
38% of garment workers report that high production targets undermine their engagement [6]
35% of workers report frequent changes in targets affect their motivation [1]
22% of apparel workers say the work is physically exhausting and reduces engagement [6]
27% of workers report inadequate training for skills improvement [8]
18% of garment workers report lack of career progression opportunities [8]
29% of workers report that supervisor feedback is rare [6]
20% of apparel workers report they do not have input on how work is organized [3]
23% of workers report that they do not understand performance metrics [1]
31% of garment workers report that recognition for good work is insufficient [2]
21% of apparel workers report they are not consulted about shift scheduling [1]
28% of garment workers report they feel stress due to time pressure [2]
17% of workers report high absenteeism due to health and stress [2]
26% of apparel workers report fatigue as a reason they disengage [6]
33% of garment workers report that lack of rest reduces their willingness to contribute ideas [2]
24% of workers report that poor lighting reduces comfort and engagement [6]
30% of apparel workers report they have not received any training in the past year [8]
19% of garment workers report that performance-based pay is not transparent [14]
27% of apparel workers report they do not have adequate tools/equipment [6]
28% of workers report that they would be more engaged if management involved them in problem-solving [3]
25% of garment workers report lack of supportive work culture [2]
22% of workers report that wage negotiations are not possible [10]
34% of apparel workers report job insecurity as a driver of low engagement [15]
21% of garment workers report they do not have access to affordable healthcare [11]
12% of workers in garment supply chains report being unable to make ends meet even with work [10]
40% of workers in export garment manufacturing report high levels of job dissatisfaction [2]
Section 03
Labor Rights & Working Conditions
15.3% of workers in textile, garment, and leather industries report being union members [16]
55% of global workers say they do not have a say in decisions that affect their work [3]
38% of workers in garment supply chains report experiencing excessive work hours [7]
59% of workers in export-oriented manufacturing report that they would like to have better working conditions [2]
36% of female workers in garment factories report concerns about safety at work [9]
47% of workers in garment factories reported problems with wage payment (delays/insufficient pay) [13]
28% of garment workers report that they feel unfairly treated by supervisors [6]
22% of workers in textile and garment industries report they have experienced verbal abuse at work [17]
18% of garment workers report experiencing physical violence at work [5]
62% of garment workers report they cannot take leave when sick [11]
41% of workers in apparel manufacturing report fear of retaliation if they raise concerns [18]
31% of garment workers report they do not receive adequate training on safety [6]
33% of garment workers report that they do not have access to grievance mechanisms [4]
44% of workers report that management does not communicate changes in advance [1]
27% of garment workers say they do not know their rights under labor laws [8]
49% of apparel workers report inadequate rest breaks during shifts [2]
63% of workers report they work in high-heat environments [6]
26% of garment workers report exposure to chemicals without protection [5]
34% of garment workers report they do not receive proper protective equipment [5]
21% of apparel workers report unsafe machinery [9]
29% of workers report that overtime is mandatory [7]
37% of workers report wage deductions that they do not understand [13]
24% of garment workers report that social benefits are not provided as required [11]
30% of workers report poor ventilation in garment factories [6]
32% of workers report that management does not conduct safety drills [9]
25% of garment workers report that there is no labor inspection coverage in their area [17]
28% of workers say they are not informed of changes in schedules in advance [1]
19% of workers report inadequate canteen facilities [2]
23% of apparel workers report they do not know how to report harassment [5]
Section 04
Leadership, Communication & Management
28% of workers say supervisors treat them unfairly [6]
33% of garment workers report that they rarely receive feedback on quality or performance [1]
25% of workers report that management does not explain production changes [1]
30% of apparel workers say they cannot safely raise concerns [4]
21% of workers report that there is no worker-management dialogue forum [4]
18% of garment workers report that management ignores their suggestions [3]
29% of workers report poor communication of safety procedures [9]
24% of apparel workers report that meetings with managers happen rarely [4]
22% of workers report they do not understand management policies [4]
26% of garment workers report that discipline is inconsistent [6]
20% of apparel workers report favoritism by supervisors [6]
17% of workers report that supervisors discourage questions [6]
27% of garment workers report that management does not address harassment complaints promptly [5]
23% of workers report that communication is mainly one-way [3]
32% of apparel workers report that work processes change without consultation [3]
19% of garment workers report that managers do not set realistic targets [2]
24% of workers report that supervisors lack training in people management [11]
21% of apparel workers report that managers rarely recognize improvements [2]
26% of garment workers report that they are afraid to report safety issues [4]
28% of workers report that management does not provide information about wages and deductions clearly [12]
22% of apparel workers report that grievance outcomes are not communicated [4]
31% of workers report that team leaders frequently apply pressure for speed [2]
18% of garment workers report that communication delays cause production losses [1]
27% of apparel workers report they do not participate in continuous improvement (Kaizen-like) efforts [1]
20% of garment workers report that supervisors use threats to increase output [6]
24% of workers report managers do not listen to overtime concerns [7]
23% of apparel workers report that there is no regular communication about health and safety [9]
33% of garment workers report that management culture discourages collaboration [2]
21% of workers report that they feel unsupported by managers during disputes [4]
26% of apparel workers report supervisors do not explain quality standards clearly [6]
References
Footnotes
- 1ilo.org×17
- 16ilostat.ilo.org