The textile industry plays an important role in the emerging economies of countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh. This sector was one of the first few sectors to go through industrialization and today is one of the most important economic sectors in Pakistan and Bangladesh, with technology usage for textile growth being one of the main reasons.
Pakistan is the 8th largest textile exporter in Asia, the 4th largest producer of cotton and the 3rd largest buyer of cotton. Pakistan’s textile industry accounts for over 60% of the country’s total exports. It is about 46% of the country’s total production. It also contributes about 8.5% of the total GDP and employs 40% of the total labor force. The Pakistani textile industry is one of the most prominent and mature industries in Pakistan and the industry has many strengths. It is losing its competitiveness with other countries, especially when compared to emerging markets. To meet growing demand and challenges, Pakistan’s textile industry is in dire need of financial investment and technological development.
Pakistan’s textile industry faces fierce competition from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, India and Thailand in foreign markets. And expensive utilities, wage rates, and a lack of investment in the country prevent the textile industry is unable to rise to the challenge. The modernization of equipment and machinery was not carried out in a timely manner due to problems such as lack of investment, depreciation of the national currency and increasing interest rates. At a time when procurement processes around the world have become digital, the textile industry is still conducting all business manually. As a result, Pakistan is losing its competitive edge to the Indian textile industry, such as adopting the latest technology and developing the latest product designs to compete in the global textile market.
Advancement
Technology knowledge is becoming increasingly important in the textile industry as it has the potential to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of textile products. The use of advanced machinery and software in the textile industry can significantly increase productivity levels. Workers with technical knowledge can operate these machines more efficiently, leading to increased output levels and reduced labor costs. Advanced technology can help reduce the cost of production in the textile industry. Automated machines can complete tasks more quickly and with greater accuracy than manual labor, resulting in lower labor costs. Technology can help improve the quality of textile products by ensuring greater precision and accuracy in manufacturing processes. Advanced machinery and software can help detect defects and errors more efficiently, leading to a reduction in defective products and an increase in customer satisfaction. Technology can have a significant impact on productivity and working conditions in textile factories. By adopting advanced machinery, automation, computer-aided design software, wearable technology, and smart factor technology, textile factories can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and create safer and more comfortable working environments for their employees.
Important steps
Despite having a cheap and plentiful labor force, the majority of the labor force proved to be inefficient and non-productive. According to Federal Textile Counsel’s study, Pakistan’s textile industry produces one piece of fabric in 133 minutes, while its Asian competitors complete the same job in 75 minutes. 30% is wasted on finishing and 12% on washing.
Labor productivity can be increased through the continuous professional development of specialists. The lack of technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan is a significant issue that has several adverse effects on the industry. Inadequate knowledge of technology affects workers’ productivity, quality of work, and income. This is particularly problematic given the increased importance of technology in the modern textile industry, which relies heavily on automation and computerization to maintain competitiveness. One of the primary reasons for the lack of technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan is inadequate training. Many workers in the industry come from rural areas with limited access to education and training in technology-related fields. Therefore, they may not be familiar with the latest technological developments, such as advanced machinery or computer-aided design software. This can lead to errors in work, reduced productivity, and lower-quality products. Another reason for the lack of technical knowledge among textile workers in Pakistan is the limited access to technology.
Limited resources
Many textile factories in Pakistan are small and have limited resources to invest in advanced technology. This means that workers may not have access to the latest equipment or software, limiting their opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Low levels of education among workers in the textile industry also contribute to the lack of technical knowledge. Many workers have only completed basic education and lack the advanced skills needed to operate complex machinery and software. This further limits their employment opportunities and affects their income potential.
The lack of technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan has several negative consequences. Workers may not be able to keep pace with advances in technology, making them less competitive in the global market. This can lead to a loss of market share for Pakistani textile products and a decline in the industry’s overall growth and profitability. The current state of technical knowledge among labor in the textile industry of Pakistan is varied. While there are some workers who have significant knowledge and experience with technology, there are many who lack even basic skills.
One of the main reasons for the lack of technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan is the limited access to training and development programs. Many textile factories in Pakistan are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack the resources to invest in training and development programs for their employees. As a result, many workers do not have the opportunity to learn about new technologies and equipment that could improve their productivity and working conditions.
The lack of technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan can have several negative consequences, both for the workers themselves and for the industry as a whole. Such as reduced productivity, the textile industry relies heavily on advanced machinery and software to maintain productivity. Workers with limited technology knowledge may not be able to operate machinery efficiently, leading to reduced productivity levels and lower output. Without proper knowledge of technology, workers may not be able to produce high-quality products that meet the standards of the global market. This can lead to a decline in demand for Pakistani textile products, ultimately affecting the industry’s profitability.
Competition ahead
The global textile market is highly competitive, with manufacturers using the latest technology to increase efficiency and productivity. The lack of technical knowledge among workers in Pakistan can make it difficult for the country to compete in the global market, leading to a loss of market share. In some cases, the lack of technical knowledge can result in poor working conditions for workers. workers may have to work longer hours to compensate for the reduced productivity, leading to fatigue and other health issues. Without the necessary technical knowledge, workers may not be able to demand higher wages for their work. This can lead to lower incomes for workers, making it difficult for them to meet their basic needs.
There are several solutions that can be implemented to improve technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan. Textile factories in Pakistan can invest in training and development programs for their employees to improve their technical knowledge. These programs can be delivered in-house or outsourced to training providers.
The programs can cover a range of topics, including how to use new technologies, equipment, and software. Workers can also be trained in digital literacy and computer skills and collaboration with educational institutions, textile factories can collaborate with educational institutions such as technical colleges and vocational schools to provide formal education and certification programs to their workers. These programs can provide workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate new technologies and equipment. This collaboration can be supported by the government through financial incentives.
Partnerships
By providing Government-led initiatives, the Pakistani government can launch initiatives to promote digital literacy and technology skills among the general population. These initiatives can include free digital skills training programs and subsidies for textile factories to invest in technology and training. The government can also provide tax incentives for companies that invest in technology and training and also public-private partnerships; the partnerships can be established to promote technical knowledge among workers in the textile industry of Pakistan.
These partnerships can involve collaboration between the government, textile factories, and training providers to deliver training and development programs to workers. This approach can be cost-effective and help to scale up the training programs. There have been several successful initiatives and programs implemented in other countries and industries to improve technical knowledge among workers such as Germany’s “Industry 4.0” initiative, Singapore’s “Skills Future” program, The United States “Manufacturing Extension Partnership” (MEP) program and Japan’s “Human Resource Development Program for Industry” (HRDPI) initiative.
These successful initiatives and programs show that investing in technology knowledge and training can have a positive impact on productivity, product quality, and the competitiveness of industries. These examples can serve as a model for the textile industry in Pakistan to implement similar programs and initiatives to improve technical knowledge among its workers.
Essential
In conclusion, the lack of technical knowledge among labor in the textile industry of Pakistan is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed to enhance productivity, product quality, and working conditions in textile factories. It is clear that technical knowledge is essential for workers to become more efficient and effective in their tasks, reduce production costs, and improve product quality.
Moreover, addressing this issue can lead to positive economic outcomes, such as increased competitiveness and job creation. There are several solutions to address the lack of technology knowledge, including training and development programs, collaboration with educational institutions, government-led initiatives, and public-private partnerships.
Furthermore, there are successful initiatives and programs implemented in other countries and industries that can serve as examples for Pakistan. It is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to improve technical knowledge among labor in the textile industry of Pakistan. The government, industry associations, educational institutions, and private companies should collaborate to develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions that can benefit the industry, the workers, and the economy as a whole. By addressing this issue, the textile industry of Pakistan can reach its full potential and contribute to the country’s economic development.