Kamlesh's story

"In the old days there were too many hours"

For the past 16 years, Kamlesh has worked in a bustling garment factory in a suburb of north Delhi.

The factory produces many of the latest fashion items soon to be winging their way to the UK high street, and the companies it supplies include ETI members.

In recent years the factory has made a number of improvements including workplace refurbishment, the introduction of bonuses and benefits, and the provision of in-house medical facilities. Worker's committees have been set up to address employee concerns, from a canteen tasting panel to a sexual harassment committee.

Now a floor manager, Kamlesh started out in the industry 25 years ago as a tailor. He says he has witnessed many changes since then, and that for him at least, conditions are getting better.

There is clean drinking water now, and the toilets are clean.

"In the old days there were too many excessive hours. Although it is sometimes necessary to do overtime here, it does not go on continuously for days and is much less of a strain. Where once there were no facilities, now we have doctors whenever we need them. There is clean drinking water, and the toilets are clean.

"Before, I would have to work day and night for 150 rupees. Today without much effort I can earn 6,000 rupees a day for half the amount of work I once did. This means I can continue to work and be productive for another 20 years, whereas under the old conditions I doubt if I would have lasted ten.

"All this means I can spend more time with my kids. Once I couldn't even drop them off on the way to school."

Kamlesh also believes improved conditions have boosted productivity and quality control among the workforce.

He says: "In the past the discipline wasn't there. Workers would make the piece and not have respect for the garment. There was a careless attitude to work, but since then there have been many advances in quality."

However, Kamlesh knows he and his co-workers are relatively fortunate. Many garment workers around the world continue to work long hours in extremely poor conditions, and for exploitative rates of pay.