India

At least 45 workers at a garment factory in Faridabad fell ill on May 10 after reportedly drinking water treated by the factory’s Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. Several workers were sent to the hospital after they complained of nausea and began vomiting, with some even falling unconscious. All of the workers are expected to recover. (Zee News)
 
The government of India says that it is finalizing a new national textile policy aimed at boosting the country’s exports. Officials say that the new policy aims to achieve US$300 billion in textile exports by 2024 and could create as many as 35 million new jobs. The proposed measure will also address several industry issues, including workforce readiness, labor reforms, and outside investments. (Fibre2Fashion)
 
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) has issued closure notices to 893 textile production units in the Sanganer region after they reportedly failed to install effluent treatment plants and it was discovered that they were dumping millions of gallons of polluted water into the nearby Dravyawati River every day. The local power company has also been ordered to shut off service to these facilities. All of the units have been ordered to close by June 30. (Times of India)
 
Global chemical company Stahl India has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Indian Central Leather Research Institute to make the Indian leather industry more sustainable. The Indian government recently identified sustainability as a key priority to keep the leather industry competitive around the globe, and says that a partnership with Stahl will help provide significant expertise and innovation to Indian leather manufacturers to make them sustainable for years to come. Stakeholders hope that this partnership will serve as an example to the entire leather industry. (Fibre2Fashion)