Apparel factories in Ashulia Industrial belt will be reopened on Friday after three days of indefinite shutdown enforced by the owners amid labor unrest. The owners announced the decision Thursday as the government assured that they could provide necessary securities to run the factories. A meeting was held at the Ministry of Labor and Employment on Thursday, with participation from … [Read more...]
E.U. Ends Burma Sanctions: Labor Advocates “Deeply Disturbed”
May 15, 2013 by
European Union (EU) foreign ministers permanently lifted trade and economic sanctions against Burma (Myanmar). The sanctions were temporarily lifted in 2012, as Burma began a political reform program. Labor rights groups, however, were not happy about the decision. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) called it "An abdication of responsibility." In a statement issued by the EU, the sanctions … [Read more...]
RMG Factory Shutdown in Ashulia to Have Severe Impact
May 14, 2013 by
The apparel factory shutdown in Ashulia industrial belt outside Dhaka, will have a severe impact on the sector, owners say. Production in 300 garment factories has been suspended since Tuesday morning, leaving 300,000 workers without pay. During the production shutdown workers won’t get any wages, since the closing was declared under Section 13 (1) of the Labour Law. This clause allows … [Read more...]
Apparel and Footwear Import Growth Slows in March
May 14, 2013 by
After surging in February, apparel and footwear import growth took a breather in March, according to recently released U.S. Department of Commerce. Apparel imports (CIF) fell 1.6%, to $6.1 billion, well below February’s level of $7.2 billion. The biggest declines were in apparel imports from China, which dropped 8.2% on a dollar basis compared to the same month last year, and from El … [Read more...]
Mega Manufacturers Luen Thai Acquire Ocean Sky, Expand Out of China
May 13, 2013 by
Hong Kong-based Luen Thai Holdings, an international leader in apparel manufacturing and supply chain services, has acquired Singapore’s Ocean Sky Group for $55 million. The acquisition is part of Luen Thai’s long-term strategy to expand outside of China. Currently, Luen Thai factories produce an estimated 90 million pieces, with combined values of $990 million, for Uniqlo, Adidas, Coach, … [Read more...]
The “Most Seized” List: Fake Clothes and Footwear
May 8, 2013 by
A new government report suggests that the vast majority of counterfeit products seized in the U.S are apparel, footwear, handbags and accessories. The U.S Trade Representative’s annual Special 301 Report, which assesses the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights, found that 74% of seized items fall within those categories. Though the total domestic value of seized goods … [Read more...]
Eager to Double Textile Exports, Peru Looks to Asian Markets
May 6, 2013 by
The country of Peru has pledged to double its overall exports between July 2011 and July 2016, making growth in the textile and apparel sector—60% of Peru’s value-added exports—crucial. To that end, the Peruvian government has announced plans to double textile and apparel exports by 2017. Over the next four years, more than $60 million will be invested in the industry—a sum funded by … [Read more...]
European Union to Bangladesh: Improve Working Conditions Or Face Possible Trade Sanctions
May 6, 2013 by
Prompted by another garment factory disaster in Bangladesh, officials of the European Union said they're considering trade sanctions if safety and health conditions are not improved. The E.U., comprising 27 countries, is Bangladesh's largest trading partner. The recent collapse of the Rana Plaza building near Dhaka killed more than 400 people, a catastrophe even more horrific than the Tarzeen … [Read more...]
Disney Drops Bangladesh and Pakistan in Potentially Dangerous Trend
May 3, 2013 by
In a move that will likely strike fear into the hearts of Bangladeshi exporters, many global retail firms are reconsidering their sourcing arrangements in the tragedy stricken country. Negative publicity stemming from the Tazreen Fashions fire in November and the more recent factory building collapse has pushed Benetton, the Children's Place, Gap, and other retailers to rapidly reassess how to … [Read more...]
Widespread May Day Protests As Workers Demand Higher Wages, End of Austerity
May 2, 2013 by
Workers rallied around last week's ready factory collapse this May Day, as demonstrations swept across Asia to protest low wages and dangerous working conditions. At the same time, thousands protested new austerity measures in Europe. The tide has started to turn against budget cuts, as unemployment exceeded 27 percent in Spain last week and Greek unions declared transport strikes, paralyzing … [Read more...]
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