They are the faceless, voiceless women who keep the fashion industry in running condition. But in the hundreds of garment units where they toil for a living, sexual harassment and abuse are an everyday affair. But they have nowhere to go for any form of hearing or justice. Garment workers' union leaders admit their presence has done little to alleviate the travails of women in these sweatshops because of their gender. "Women workers complain to us about wages, work timings and other administr

Export earnings from the USA, the largest export destination for Bangladesh goods, witnessed a healthy 15.74 percent growth during the first quarter (July-Sept) of the current fiscal (2013-14), mostly due to good performance of the RMG sector. It totalled $ 1,466.65 million during the (July-Sept) of the current fiscal year (2013-14) compared to $ 1,267.19 million during the corresponding period of the previous year (2012-13). The amount represents 19.23 percent of the country’s total export e

Speaking at the Textile Conclave 2013, Chairman, AEPC said that India’s garment exports would be touching 60 US $ billion in the next 3 years, with the help of Government support. The one day Textiles Conclave 2013 is organized by the Ministry of Textiles. The Union Textiles Minister - Dr. K S Rao inaugurated the conference in presence of Secretary Textiles Smt. Zohra Chatterji and stakeholders of the Textiles Industry. Dr. Sakthivel identified shortfall of labour to be the biggest bottle

After six years of continuous decline due to economic crisis, sales of textiles in Spain, is estimated to grow by 2 to 4 percent year-on-year during the Christmas season, according to the Business Association of Textile and Accessories (ACOTEX). Borja Oria, president of ACOTEX, said trade will begin to recover during Christmas season in the country, which would also result into increased employment in the industry, reports Spanish news agency EFE. Fashion products, clothing and accessorie

Fire fighters managed to control the fire after two and a half hours. PHOTO: FILE A major fire broke out at a textile mill in the industrial district of SITE in Karachi on Friday evening. While there were no people inside, the blaze caused damage worth millions to goods stored. The factory is located near Gulbai in SITE, within the limits of SITE B Section police station. Fire fighters had initially declared it as a category ‘three’ fire, the highest degree of fire, and rushed a large

There is huge potential for increasing Vietnamese clothing exports to Russia, the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said on its website. Russia has the 5th largest economy in the world, and with a population of nearly 143 million people, the country provides a big opportunity for Vietnamese garments, according to Vinatex. In 2012, Russia’s GDP reached US$ 2,015 billion, resulting in per capita income of US$ 12,000 per year, making it the most promising market for Vietnam

The Trans Pacific Strategic Partnership Agreement (TPP) is believed to create 1 million jobs in Vietnam’s leader and shoes industry. In order to take full advantage of the agreement, Vietnamese shoes makers have to settle the existing material problem. The Lien Anh Leather & Shoes Company in Binh Duong province has incurred a loss of $100,000 because of the low-quality import leather consignment. However, Lien Anh does not intend to use the leather from domestic sources because of the

THE fiber industry, particularly the abaca sector, is expected to improve production through the automatic handloom weaving machine recently developed by an all-Filipino manufacturing company, according to agriculture officials. Still a prototype but already can process abaca fiber into a multidesigned fabric, Deparment of Agriculture (DA) executives on Thursday presented an automated version of the traditional handloom weaver at a hotel in Quezon City. Petronilo B. Jabay, officer in charg

The China National Cotton Reserves Corporation (CNCRC) has started releasing cotton from the state reserves. The floor price has been fixed at 18,000 yuan per ton for standard grade of cotton, and the first released reserves were from 2011 crop. The release price of 18,000 yuan per ton is about 50 percent higher than this year’s average price so far. In addition, the release being from 2011 crop means that the cotton would not be of very good quality. Meanwhile, China’s cotton purchase

Gap Inc, the largest casual wear retailer in the US, looks set to enter the Indian market next year though a joint venture with Arvind Brands, two people familiar with the development said. The San Francisco-based clothing giant has signed a letter of intent with Arvind Ltd's retail arm to form a JV in India, they said. J Suresh, MD of Arvind Brands, and Rajiv Malik, general manager of Gap's sourcing operations in India, declined comment. An email sent to Gap's headquarters in the US to se