Partnership Initiative
Strengthening factory-internal Grievance Structures in Pakistan

Image credit: © CiteXt Wing / Unsplash

The challenge

The textile industry is central to Pakistan’s economy, employing almost 40% of the workingpopulation, which is around 19 million people. The working conditions in the textileindustry in Pakistan are often marked by challenges such as poor workplace safety, low wages, a lack of co-determination at the company level, and a lack of dialogue between management, workers, and state institutions. Women make up 30% of the textile workforce but are mainly concentrated in low-paid, low-skilled, precarious jobs and face discrimination, abuse, and limited rights. Legal protections, such as a grievance redressal mechanism and the freedom of association and collective bargaining, exist but are poorly implemented, especially for informal workers. Many employees are excluded from labor protections due to legal loopholes, leaving grievances unaddressed and labor rights unenforced.

Our approach

The initiative builds on an existing GIZ project (Promoting Employment by Strengthening the Role of Women) with CARE International as the implementing partner to develop grievance redressal mechanisms in 60 factories across Pakistan. PST brands and their 8 nominated supplier factories will join the established project framework, and implement the same concept. CARE International will lead the rollout by developing and institutionalizing grievance mechanism policies, training grievance committees, and preparing master trainers. These trainers will conduct ongoing awareness sessions for workers and management on creating safe and dignified work environments, with a special focus on women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Our goals

The project aims to strengthen internal grievance mechanisms at Pakistani suppliers and in factories of PST members. Its goal is to improve workers’ and their representatives’ access to effective internal grievance systems. Furthermore, the initiative empowers both workers and management to collaboratively resolve complaints related to working conditions. A key focus is on promoting dignified work practices, particularly for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs), including the development of a robust grievance redress mechanism.

Facts and Figures


Project duration	01/2025 – 03/2026
Focus topic	Grievance mechanisms and remedy
BMZ focus topic	Effectively reducing poverty, hunger and inequality, promote decent working environment
Project countries	Pakistan
Involved Partnership members	Takko Holding GmbH, s.Oliver Bernd Freier GmbH & Co. KG, Tchibo GmbH, Otto GmbH & Co. KG
Implementation partners	CARE International