Only one quarter of workers worldwide is estimated to have a stable employment relationship, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report titled World Employment and Social Outlook 2015 (WESO) finds that, among countries with available data (covering 84 per cent of the global workforce), three quarters of workers are employed on temporary or short-term contracts, in informal jobs often without any contract, under own-account arrangements or in unpaid fami

Export earnings from the Turkey market dropped by 19.50 per cent to $581.25 million in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year due to a devaluation of the euro as well as the Turkish currency lira, dashing the exporters’ hope of getting another billion-dollar-market. Bangladesh’s export earnings from Turkey in the July-April period of the financial year 2013-14 were $722.12 million, according to the Export Promotion Bureau data. Following the imposition of safeguard duties by Turk

According to China Cotton Association, the cotton import price continued to grow in this March amid a declining import quantity, both saw further decrease year-on-year. Figures from the General Administration of Customs show that China imported 129,000 tons of cotton in March, down 31,100 tons or 19.6% from February and 42.4% from a year earlier. The import price stood at US$ 1,732/ton, rising US$ 34/ton or 2% from February, but down 16% from a year earlier. The figures also show that Ch

Foreign textile and garment firms to enjoy a zero percent import tax rate under the commitments of free trade agreements (FTA) such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, the EU-Vietnam FTA, and the South Korea-Vietnam FTA are moving is full swing with plans to build production facilities in ahead of FTAs in Vietnam. Nguyen Duc Tiep, deputy head of the Quang Ninh Provincial Investment Promotion Agency’s Investment Promotion Division, said that Hong Kong’s Texhong Group is nearing complet

Narendra Modi (left) and Li Keqiang in Beijing/Courtesy: PIB India and China have agreed to optimally exploit the present and potential complementarities in the textiles and other sectors, as identified in the Five Year Trade and Economic Development Plan signed in September 2014. In a joint statement issued by the two countries during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last week, the two sides took note of the increase in two-way trade and investment flows in the past

Nike and Levi are on a new journey to introduce the fashion world with the trend of experimenting with new fabrics. They aim to introduce the concept of ‘smart clothes and intelligent textile’ which is a measure to make use of trash and recycle it in such a manner to be called a treasure trove of every individual’s wardrobe. Nike proudly claims to have diverted two billion plastic bottles from landfills into people’s wardrobes. Recycled polyester promised superior performance and environment.

Thirty-five per cent of the readymade garment factories in the country lack first aid facility and required equipment for the purpose, according to a recent survey conducted by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments. The survey conducted in 643 apparel factories in the January-March period found that 67 per cent of the factories did not serve accident-related notice while 46 per cent of them did not maintain safety record books and safety boards. A labour rights ac

National Tariff Commission of Pakistan has initiated proceedings to impose anti-dumping duty on import of hydrogen peroxide from Bangladesh, commerce ministry officials said. They said that the NTC had already issued a notice of initiation on April 28 and invited the interested parties to attend hearing on the issue. ‘Bangladesh Tariff Commission on behalf of the government and exporters will become parties in the hearing and fight against the allegation of dumping the product as the all

US cotton production in 2014 season is estimated at 16.3 million 480-pound bales, up 26 per cent from the 2013 crop, according to the final estimate for the season released by National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS), US department of agriculture (USDA). The United States yield for all cotton is estimated at 838 pounds per acre, up 17 pounds from the previous year and the fourth highest yield on record. Record high yields are estimated in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missou

Two textiles firms in Swaziland are expected to create 800 jobs in the country soon to combat joblessness, one of the country’s leading newspaper has said. The announcement was made by the Swaziland Investments Promotions Authority (SIPA) CEO Phumelele Dlamini in Mbabane. Swaziland’s ministry of commerce, industry and trade and SIPA recently inaugurated the factory shells that would house the textile companies. Dlamini said the factory shells were situated in Nhlangano and Matsanjeni, i