📉 Sri Lanka's Apparel Sector Advances Disability Inclusion via "Inclusive Threads" Pledge

• Key Initiative: 13 leading apparel companies signed a voluntary pledge under the "Inclusive Threads" initiative—a joint effort by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), supported by the Australian Government. • Core Commitments: Signatories pledged to adhere to 8 core principles focused on protecting rights, preventing discrimination, ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations, and promoting equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the apparel & textiles sector. • Economic & Social Impact: - Shifts disability inclusion from a welfare perspective to an economic empowerment model. - Reached 17,000+ households through community outreach. - Modernized training at 3 state vocational institutes and provided sign language training to over 140 industry personnel. - Facilitated factory-based internships and 12 formal job placements through district-level job fairs. • Participating Companies: Brandix, Hirdaramani, Filotex Lanka, Inqube Global, Maliban Wovens, Martex M F G, Miami Clothing, Original Apparel, Q Collection, Sumithra Garments, Sun Queen Apparel, Vogue Tex, and Winterquilts.