Results of ILO SCORE Project in Brazil

In 2023, the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit), the Brazilian Association of Textile Retail (ABVTEX), the National Service of Industrial Training (SENAI) São Paulo and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Brazil implemented the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) methodology in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the garment sector in the metropolitan area of the Brazilian state of São Paulo.

SCORE Brazil brought to the garment sector the Work Cooperation and the Responsible Enterprises modules developed globally by the ILO, adapting them to the local context. 67 workers and managers from 15 small and medium-sized garment enterprises attend the training activities. This initiative benefited over 1,240 workers, 82.7% of whom were women, and influenced 100 companies in the garment supply chain.

For 4.5 months, the program implemented through trainings and consultancies the improvement plans elaborated for each enterprise. It led to a 19% productivity boost for medium enterprises and a 15% improvement for small enterprises. Notable achievements included a 58% decrease in unnecessary movement for medium enterprises and a 9% reduction for small enterprises, along with a 21% decrease in rework rates for medium enterprises and a 12% reduction for small enterprises. Additionally, absenteeism decreased by 5%.

A greater commitment to diversity and inclusion was evident as several enterprises established internal committees or reviewed their hiring processes, resulting in an increased number of LGBTQIAPN+ employees. Furthermore, SENAI, Brazil’s foremost training institution for the industry, adopted SCORE Brazil’s methodology in its training programs, solidifying the positive impact on responsible business practices within Brazil’s apparel sector.