Moving the Needle 11: The Future of the Asian Textile and Apparel Industry

Three years after Covid-19 first hit, the garment industry is still taking stock of the impact and implications, for business, for workers, and for consumers. 

But are we on the edge of ‘normal? Is a pre-pandemic understanding of ‘normal’ even relevant as manufacturers still face the consequences of the pandemic but many challenges on global and local level are waiting just around the corner? Are we now seeing a return to pre-pandemic norms, or is ‘normal’ even possible in what seems like a new era of instability and uncertainty? 

Are the old, pre-pandemic tools still working? Or do we need to new tools on the basis of our experiences in the last two-and-a-half years? And finally, what are the future potential paths for the industry in Asia? A return to ‘normal’? Or something quite different?

These are big questions and concern anybody with a stake in the sector. The discussion will be free flowing with adequate time for questions from attendees. Join us in this eleventh online seminar, which is organized by GIZ Fabric and ILO Sida Decent Work in Garment Supply Chains Asia. Three experts will look at research findings and the current realities to assess the future of the textile and apparel industry in Asia.

SPEAKERS

Mr. David Williams, Project Manager, ILO Decent Work in Garment Supply Chains Asia programme

David Williams is a labour economist and sustainability professional who has spent much of the last decade managing ILO programmes in global supply chains. Now based in the ILO’s regional office in Bangkok, he was previously the deputy manager for Better Work Vietnam, an UN-World Bank programme supporting labour standards and trade competitiveness in the apparel sector. David holds an MA in International Politics and Development from the University of Leeds and BSc in Economics from the University of Birmingham, UK.

Mr. David Birmbaum, Founder, Third Horizon Ltd

David Birnbaum has a lifetime of experience in the international garment export industry solving problems, developing solutions and implementing one-of-a-kind strategies. He has worked in 36 countries, in which he has constructed, operated and owned factories; taught advanced courses at FIT’s graduate school, the Institute of Textile and Clothing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and authored and published 11 books, each tackling our industry's most pressing issues. He currently writes and publishes the Birnbaum Report and monthly articles for Just Style Magazine. He is a qualified patternmaker.

Mr. Kong Athit, President of the Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (CCAWDU)

Kong Athit is the president of CCAWDU, affiliated with IndustriALL Global Union. CCAWDU organizes more than 50,000 workers in Cambodia. Kong joined CCAWDU in 1999 while working a factory laundry. He was dismissed from his job because of his union activities in 2001. CCAWDU’s current objectives are to represent garment workers with one voice, carry out research on working conditions and the economic and social context to build international relationship to strengthen the defence of workers’ rights.