India

A study conducted by an Indian NGO found that many young girls working in the textile mills of Tamil Nadu under the controversial Sumangali scheme are regularly subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse. The group Vaan Muhil surveyed 193 girls between October 2014 and February 2015 and found that many of them had developed chronic health conditions due to a lack of protective measures provided to them while on the job. They also discovered that many of the girls were being coerced into working over 12 hours each day due to threats of sexual or physical violence from factory managers. Leaders in Vaan Muhil are calling on the government and other stakeholder groups to intervene in the matter. (The Hindu)
 
India’s Ministry of Commerce says it plans to release a strategy paper int he coming weeks outlining ways to increase the competitiveness of Indian textiles in export markets. The ministry says that countries like Sri Lanka and Turkey are quickly gaining on India in terms of textile competitiveness and that ensuring success in textile product exports is essential. Textile products account for over 10% of India’s total exports. (Fibre2Fashion)
 
The foundation stone for a new Apparel and Garment Making Centre has been laid in the state of Manipur. The centre is part of a new initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in which all Northeast India states would get a similar centre constructed in an effort to organize the textile industry in the region. Each centre is expected to generate employment opportunities by training budding entrepreneurs to set up their own manufacturing units. (Fibre2Fashion)