MADAGASCAR: Better Work Initiative Boosts Labour Law Compliance and Business Competitiveness for Socota Group Employees
Strengthening Skills and Promoting Decent Employment Opportunities
In a bid to enhance international labour law compliance and business competitiveness, Better Work Madagascar has launched an initiative in Antsirabe aimed at strengthening the personal and practical skills of managers and workers from the Socota Group, a leading apparel manufacturer in Madagascar.
Programme Objectives
The programme, which kicked off with 17 participants, focuses on:
- Social dialogue: promoting effective communication between employees and management
- Good practices: sharing best practices to improve workplace conditions
- Grievance mechanisms: establishing procedures for resolving worker complaints
Training Sessions
During the first week of training, 11 workers and six managers engaged in discussions on:
- Bipartite committees and industrial relations
- Promoting effective communication between employees and management
The initiative is expected to benefit the Socota Group’s factories, which will receive tailored advisory sessions to help implement the knowledge gained during the training.
Better Work Madagascar Services
Better Work Madagascar offers a range of services designed to enhance business competitiveness, including:
- Training on industrial relations
- Workplace violence prevention
- Management and leadership skills
According to Anne-Laure Henry-Gréard, Chief Technical Advisor for Better Work Madagascar: “The programme provides practical training relevant to the daily work of managers, supervisors, and workers in the garment sector, with a methodology adaptable to other industries.”
Expansion Plans
As part of its expansion plans, Better Work Madagascar is set to expand its service offering to meet market demand and promote decent employment opportunities in Madagascar’s priority industrial sectors.
Partnerships
The initiative has been made possible through a partnership between the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group), which currently operates in 12 countries.
Independent Evaluations
Independent evaluations have shown that good working conditions and business performance are closely linked, making it essential for companies to prioritize transparency and traceability in their supply chains. Better Work Madagascar has partnered with the European Union to implement its pilot intervention in the country.
Get Involved
For more information on the initiative, please visit our website or contact us at madagascar@betterwork.org.