South Korean textile and clothing imports topped US$14 billion last year, according to the Korea International Trade Association, representing a 8.4% year-on-year increase and an all-time high. Conversely, exports actually dropped by 0.1% year-on-year, bringing the industry’s trade surplus to a record low US$1.28 billion. The country’s trade surplus has been in a constant state

A new report released by the International Labor Organization (ILO) says that there are over 16 million child laborers in South Asia. The report is based on data collected between 2005 and 2012 from 7 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and also says that many of these children are involved in hazardous

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a new report raising serious concerns about the enforcement of labor laws in Honduras under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). The report is in response to a letter sent by the AFL-CIO and 26 Honduran unions and civil society organizations alleging that the government

The Vietnam Industrial Trade and Information Center (VITIC) says that the country’s textile and garment exports are destined for a boom this year. Industry insiders say that total exports could reach US$11 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 13%. The United States is by far the largest customer of the country, buying nearly half of

The death toll from the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh has topped 100, according to local authorities. Officials say that at least 67 of those casualties were caused by security forces responding to the reports of unrest. Political protests have been ongoing in Bangladesh since the beginning of the year spurred by efforts of the

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says that garment and textile factories should abide by the law and only allow their employees to work no more than 2 hours of overtime per day. The remarks were made during a commencement address given by the Prime Minister at the National University of Management, where he also noted

India’s government has initiated a review of all 23 Export Promotion Councils to which it provides funds. The move was first announced in December of last year when the Ministry of Textiles expressed a need for greater transparency in the election of these councils and their activities. All of the councils will also be subject

Italian fashion retailer Benetton has announced plans to make a major contribution to a trust fund set up for victims of the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013. In a statement, the company said that it will work with an “independent, globally-recognized third party” to define the terms of this contribution and decide on an appropriate

The High Commissioner for Planning (HCP) in Morocco says that the country’s textile industry lost an estimated 32,000 jobs between 2013 and 2014, even despite an increase in exports over that same period. According to HCP data, the added value of the textile and leather industries in Morocco increased by 1.4% year-on-year in 2014, after

Hundreds of striking garment workers in Myanmar have vowed to continue their month-long demonstration until their demands are met, which includes higher wages and the release of two detained protest leaders. About 2,000 workers have been striking in Yangon’s Shwepyithar Industrial Zone since February 2 demanding that their wages be increased to US$78 per month