JAAF and ILO Better Work Program lead apparel sector’s push for disability inclusion

• 13 apparel companies sign voluntary "Inclusive Threads" pledge under joint initiative of International Labour Organisation, International Finance Corporation  and, supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Thirteen apparel companies recently signed a voluntary pledge in Colombo committing to advance disability inclusion in the workplace, marking a milestone for Inclusive Threads of Better Work Sri Lanka, a joint initiative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and, supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Through the pledge, signatory companies commit to eight core principles, including promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, preventing discrimination, ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations, and collaborating with government institutions and industry partners to advance inclusive employment.

The ceremony brought together representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, the Employers' Federation of Ceylon (EFC), the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), and companies across the apparel sector, alongside government officials and development partners.

Speaking at the event, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Joni Simpson, said the pledge reflects a shared commitment to progress rather than a claim that every challenge has already been solved.

"By signing this pledge, employers are making a public commitment to strengthen disability inclusive employment within their companies. This is a commitment to keep moving forward, to review recruitment practices, remove barriers, engage with workers, and create more opportunities for persons with disabilities," Simpson said. "Real and lasting progress is only possible through partnership between government, employers, workers, and organisations of persons with disabilities."

Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry Director for the Department of Social Services Darshani Karunarathne highlighted the results achieved through the Inclusive Threads program since the official collaboration with Better Work in November 2025, describing it as a shift from viewing disability through a welfare lens to an economic empowerment lens.

"Our objective is to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through employment, with a special focus on the apparel sector," Karunarathne said. "Through community outreach, vocational training, and direct partnerships with employers, we have reached over 17,000 households, trained candidates at our vocational institutes, and supported 12 formal job placements through district-level job fairs. This is a model that works, and one we remain committed to scaling further."

JAAF Secretary General Yohan Lawrence, addressing the gathering, said the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the apparel sector was not a new undertaking, but one built on decades of experience across the industry.

"Employing persons with disabilities is not an act of philanthropy. It is a sound investment in individuals who are committed to learning the skills of the trade and who often excel in the workplace," Yohan said. "Too often, persons with disabilities face barriers not because of a lack of ability, but because of limited access and limited opportunity. When employers create inclusive workplaces, they help remove these barriers and allow individuals to contribute their full potential to the national economy."

The Inclusive Threads program has, to date, modernised training at three vocational institutes under the Department of Social Services, delivered sign language training to over 140 industry personnel, and facilitated factory-based internships for trainees across multiple apparel companies.

Thirteen apparel companies signed the voluntary pledge at the ceremony: Brandix Apparel Ltd., Filotex Lanka Ltd., Hirdaramani International Exports Ltd., Inqube Global Ltd., Maliban Wovens Ltd., Martex M F G Ltd., Miami Clothing Ltd., Original Apparel Ltd., Q Collection Ltd., Sumithra Garments Ltd., Sun Queen Apparel Ltd., Vogue Tex Ltd., and Winterquilts Ltd.