Impact of the Apparel Industry on Rural Employment (With reference to Rambukkana Divisional Secretariat in Kegalle District)

Abstract

Although there is no clear date to trace the beginning of the use of cloths by humans, anthropologists say that evidence has been found that it may have occurred between 100,000 and 500,000 years ago (Bellis, 2019). The apparel industry has earned $ 1.5 trillion in 2021. And economists expect it to grow to $ 2 trillion by 2026. The People's Republic of China alone has export $ 154 billion worth of apparel in 2021 (Smith, 2022). Accordingly, China is the largest earner of garment exports. China accounts for 50% of the world apparel market, while India, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are the other major players in the apparel industry (www.fibre2fashion.com, 2019). The history of apparel in Sri Lanka dates back to the time of King Vijaya. With the story of Kuveni's cotton weaving (Tradition of Handlooms | Lanka Tour Host | Sri Lanka, 2019). Today, the Sri Lankan garment industry ranges from large-scale manufacturers to small-scale (SME) manufacturers. The garments that are mainly manufactured are, sports ware, lingerie, lounge wear, bridal wear, work wear, swimming ware and children's wear. Many of the world's leading apparel brands manufacture their products in Sri Lanka. EX- Nike, gap, Liz Claiborne, next, Jones New York, Tommy high flayer, Pink, Triumph, Ann Taylor, speedo (About Sri Lanka Apparel - Sri Lanka Export Development Board, n.d.). A rural area is a region of land outside the densely inhabited urban areas during a city or city. Rural areas are historically areas not enclosed within the urban definition, and are typically large, open areas with few homes and few people, as critical urban areas that have larger populations (what is rural areas igi global, 2021). Employment means engaging in various economic activities in the hope of gaining some opportunity economic benefits. The percentage of people living in rural areas is steadily declining. The world's rural population is steadily declining. In 2022 world rural population is 3,398,794,081 (World Rural Population 1960-2021, 2022).in this study’s main objective is how the Apparel industry effects rural employment. Other Objectives are identifying how job satisfaction affects employee retention identify the factors influencing employment and the relationship between those factors and the employment sector.