India

The Karnataka Cabinet says that it will make a decision soon on whether or not to release a group of 48 workers arrested last month during a protest against changes to the government’s Provident Fund rules. The protests quickly turned violent as buses and cars were set ablaze and several police stations were attacked in Bengaluru. Officials say that they will evaluate each case individually and release those who were determined to have no role in the violence.(The Hindu Business Line)
 
The Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) is expressing concern over a government proposal to set the minimum wage for contract workers at Rs. 10,000 (US$147), a move which the group says would negatively impact the industry. TEA leaders say that the garment and textile industries are already facing a number of headwinds, including issues with infrastructure and energy prices, and insist that the new policy would only complicate things. (Financial Express)
 
The Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) is pushing the government to expedite pending trade agreements with Europe, Canada, and Australia saying that once finalized, these agreements could boost readymade garment exports by as much as 40%. In a memorandum to India’s Textiles Secretary, the TEA noted that India already sells upwards of US$6.2 billion in apparel to Europe annually, and that a new trade agreement could significantly boost that number. The TEA also says that the pending agreements would help give India an edge over one of its main competitors, Bangladesh. (Fibre2Fashion)
 
India’s Ministry of Textiles has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NDTV in an effort to promote the country’s handloom industry. The agreement will help launch a new initiative, the Indianroots Fashion Accelerator, to encourage new entrepreneurs to enter the industry and help connect fashion designers with handloom weavers more efficiently. Industry leaders hope that the effort will help raise awareness and appreciation of one of India’s oldest crafts among young people. (Fibre2Fashion)