The initiative, known as Inclusive Threads, is part of the Better Work Sri Lanka programme, a collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The agreement commits 13 apparel companies to uphold eight principles. Companies pledged to foster the rights of persons with disabilities, address discrimination, ensure reasonable accommodation measures, and strengthen cooperation with government agencies and industry associations to expand access to inclusive employment.
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 apparel companies attended the signing event, alongside development partners and government officials.
ILO Sri Lanka and the Maldives, country director Joni Simpson, described the pledge as “a public commitment to strengthen disability inclusive employment within their companies.”
She added: “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. Real and lasting progress is only possible through partnership between government, employers, workers, and organisations of persons with disabilities.”
The Inclusive Threads programme, launched through a formal collaboration in November 2025, has already seen results, noted the Department of Social Services director Darshani Karunarathne.
To date, the Inclusive Threads programme has updated training at three vocational institutes overseen by the Department of Social Services, provided sign language instruction to more than 140 industry personnel, and arranged factory-based internships for trainees at several apparel companies.
Darshani Karunarathne described the initiative as marking a transition from perceiving disability purely as a welfare concern to focusing on economic empowerment.
“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,” she remarked.
Signatories to the Inclusive Threads pledge include Brandix Apparel, Filotex Lanka, Hirdaramani International Exports, Inqube Global, Maliban Wovens, Martex MFG, Miami Clothing, Original Apparel, Q Collection, Sumithra Garments, Sun Queen Apparel, Vogue Tex, and Winterquilts.
