Implementation of the DfS methodology in selected partner enterprises in the textile sector of Pakistan

The textile and garment industry, with its large clusters in the Punjab, is Pakistan's most important manufacturing sector. In addition, there is the production of leather, leather garments and footwear, branches of the fashion industry. In 2017 it accounted in Pakistan for about 60% of export earnings and 8.5% of GDP and its share of industrial labour force was around 40%. Textile processing consumes large amounts of water, chemicals, energy and generates hazardous waste. The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with the project "Improvement of Labour and Environmental Standards in Pakistan"s Textile Industry" (TextILES). The implementing partner of the project is the Federal Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan. The project focuses to develop approaches to synergize the economic, ecological, and social dimension of sustainability in the production of the textile and garment industry. The project supports selected producers in the textile and garment industry in Punjab (textile, garments, leathers, shoes, sports, and other subsectors), promoting and facilitating dialogue and exchange among multiple stakeholders, as well as knowledge sharing and mutual learning. This is combined with capacity development measures to link improvements in labour standards with progresses in production processes, and, by this, to contribute to sustainable growth and employment. TextILES is working on four outputs: Output 1 aims to improve the cooperation between public and private sector groups to promote all three pillars of sustainability Output 2 aims to strengthen the capacities of state actors responsible for compliance with labour and environmental legislation in the industry Output 3 aims to increase the supply of business services to strengthen sustainable production. This includes the development of consultancy services for the adaptation of sustainable business models, the development of innovative products, the introduction of new technologies, as well as process consultation for change management Output 4 aims to promote employment and employability, especially of vulnerable groups, by the systematic use of sustainable production practices and modern HR strategies. This tender is focusing on Output 4. Workers and managers of industry tend to neglect ownership of sustainability measures suggested by third party audits, these audits have proven to be ineffective. To address this problem, a methodology by the name "Dialogue for Sustainability" (DfS) was introduced by GIZ and partner enterprises. DfS is a change management methodology with the aim to create an environment of effective dialogue, where top management, middle management, and workers collectively work towards sustainable solutions to organizational problems. Since 2014 DfS has been implemented in 50 textile enterprises in Punjab. Apart from achieving sustainable production goals, one result was a significant increase in job creation. This result gives reason to continue the implementation of the DfS methodology with a focus on business development and job creation. GIZ TextILES team seeks to implement the DfS methodology in 36 more textile and garment enterprises in Punjab in a 20-month cycle, covering the thematic areas of Productivity & Quality and HR & Labour Standards. Target group of the assignment will be staff and management of all hierarchies of 36 partner textile enterprises, located in different parts of the Punjab province of Pakistan. The enterprises will vary in size, but most partners will be from SMEs as they have the most untapped potential.