This report provides initial findings from a three year study, funded by the Economic and Social
Research Council, on evolving labour practice responses to ethical trading initiatives at sites of
production which focuses on the Sri Lankan apparel sector (Grant number: RES-061-25-0181).
The report focuses on what the Sri Lankan apparel sector’s evolution into value-added apparel
production implies for labour conditions and practices at production sites. It is also interested
in exploring what local institutional factors enables Sri Lanka to position itself as a supplier
engaged in ethical production and the extent to which the ‘garments without guilt’ initiative
rests upon legitimate adherence to global ethical code regimes. Issues of paramount importance
as the world economy go through a downturn.