The Sindh High Court (SHC) is demanding that federal and provincial authorities complete forensic testing in connection with the 2012 Ali Enterprises factory fire so that the families of the victims can be compensated. The demand was made during a hearing initiated by the Pakistan Institute of Labor, Education, and Research to see if court

Sweden’s Prime Minister has vowed to continue supporting Bangladesh’s garment industry on its path toward improvement and growth. He made the assurance during a recent meeting with Bangladesh’s ambassador to the Nordic countries, where he also learned about actions being taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to grow confidence in the country. (BanglaNews24)

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board for Region 3 in Central Luzon has approved a new, higher daily minimum pay scale for workers in the region. For non-agricultural employees, the new rate will be around US$7 per day. Companies with less than 10 employees will be eligible to apply for an exemption from the

The U.S. government has partnered with 3 other countries and the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the Initiative to Promote Fundamental Labor Rights and Practices in Myanmar. The initiative will help to modernize Myanmar’s labor code, improve compliance with global ethical standards, and foster a robust dialogue between government, business, and labor groups. A stakeholder

A trio of textile companies in Zimbabwe will be getting an investment of US$2.4 million from companies in Mauritius in an effort to boost trade between the two countries. During a recent Mauritius-Zimbabwe buyers meeting, trade officials from both countries noted that while Mauritian exports to Zimbabwe reached US$8 million at one point, they have

Over 4,000 workers at 5 factories in Bangladesh say that they have gone months without receiving their wages. Labor groups say that two of the factories were relocated suddenly and without proper notice, two others were ordered closed by the government, and a final factory is in the midst of an ownership dispute. The workers

Cambodia’s Labor Advisory Committee has agreed to increase the minimum wage for garment workers to US$128 per month representing a 28% increase. The amount fell short of the US$140 proposal put forth by unions during the negotiations, but is higher than the US$123 originally agreed to by the committee. The new wage will take effect

India’s apparel exports to the United States grew by 7.5% year-on-year between January and September, far outpacing both China and Bangladesh. Overall global apparel exports have also been on the rise, growing by 17.6% between April and September according to the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). Industry insiders say that rising costs in China and

A group of 750 workers who were recently laid off after their factory closed down received their unpaid salaries and severance pay on November 7 after waiting over 4 months. The South Korean-owned factory opened last year, but was abruptly closed in June without giving workers their salaries. A government tribunal unsuccessfully ordered the company

The government of Pakistan needs to pass strict legislation cracking down on the use of banned chemicals and dyes in its textile industry, according to attendees at a recent conference on resource efficiency in Pakistan that brought together hundreds of experts from around the world. Industry observers say that many textile production facilities in Pakistan