in the news 20180119 – 20180125

NORTH KOREA

* China’s doorway to North Korea feels sanctions pinch
http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2018/jan/21/chinas-doorway-to-north-korea-feels-sanctions-pinch-1760271.html

VIETNAM

* Vietnam’s garment workers dangling on a thread at bottom of income divide: Oxfam
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/vietnam-s-garment-workers-dangling-on-a-thread-at-bottom-of-income-divide-oxfam-3702286.html

* Despite high number of female Vietnamese labourers, inequality persists
http://vietnamnews.vn/society/421772/despite-high-number-of-female-vietnamese-labourers-inequality-persists.html

* VN is world’s second largest shoes exporter
http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/421506/vn-is-worlds-second-largest-shoes-exporter.html
&
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/194344/vn-is-world-s-second-largest-shoes-exporter.html

CAMBODIA

* More than 120 workers faint at Adidas supplier in Koh Kong
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/more-120-workers-faint-adidas-supplier-koh-kong
&
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103780/almost-100-workers-faint-in-koh-kong-factory/

* Bad smell causes faintings…
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103926/bad-smell-causes-faintings/

* Garment sector looking to tackle road accidents
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/garment-sector-looking-tackle-road-accidents
&
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103746/road-safety-policy-planned/

* Labour union sued by factory
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103467/labour-union-sued-by-factory/

* Garment factory owner asks minister for help
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103277/garment-factory-owner-asks-minister-for-help/

* Former union leader summoned to court again
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/104048/former-union-leader-summoned-to-court-again/
&
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/court-summons-union-leader-chea-mony-second-time

* Unionists mark anniversary of Chea Vichea killing, while brother skips court
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/unionists-mark-anniversary-chea-vichea-killing-while-brother-skips-court

* Call to investigate union leader’s murder
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103553/call-to-investigate-union-leaders-murder/

* Report shows little sign of improvement at factories
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/report-shows-little-sign-improvement-factories

* Working conditions improving in garment factories: ILO
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103908/working-conditions-improving-in-garment-factories-ilo/

* Cambodia’s low rate of unemployment doesn’t tell whole story, report finds
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodias-low-rate-unemployment-doesnt-tell-whole-story-report-finds

* Labour Ministry signs pact with US agency
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50103718/labour-ministry-signs-pact-with-us-agency/

THAILAND

* Thailand to increase minimum wages for migrant workers from April 1
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/13198

MYANMAR/BURMA

* More investment made in Thilawa SEZ this year
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/13213

BANGLADESH

* TUs demand Tk 16,000 as minimum wage for garment worker
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/tus-demand-tk-16000-as-minimum-wage-for-garment-workers-1516780780

* RMG labour assocs demand Tk 16,000 as minimum wage
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33270/rmg-labour-assocs-demand-tk-16000-as-minimum-wage

* RMG labour orgs want Tk 16,000 as minimum wage
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33058/rmg-labour-orgs-want-tk-16000-as-minimum-wage

* BGMEA, TU leaders meet Thursday to discuss wage hike
negotiations with labour leaders starts Jan 25
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/bgmea-tu-leaders-meet-thursday-to-discuss-wage-hike-1516682143
&
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33197/bgmea-starts-negotiations-with-labour-leaders-jan-25

* Bangladesh moves to revise minimum wage for garment workers
https://bdnews24.com/business/2018/01/14/bangladesh-moves-to-revise-minimum-wage-for-garment-workers

* Top CEOs take 4 days to earn a Bangladesh worker’s life pay
https://www.timesunion.com/news/world/article/Top-CEOs-take-4-days-to-earn-a-Bangladesh-12514399.php

* Minimum wage for RMG workers: What do stakeholders think?
https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2018/01/17/minimum-wage-rmg-workers-stakeholders-think/

* Factories’ disregard for environment
Uncontrolled disposal of waste
http://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/factories-disregard-environment-1524490

* Govt relaxes rules for giving cash incentives to garment makers
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33039/govt-relaxes-rules-for-giving-cash-incentives-to-garment-makers

* Ratified ILO conventions ignored: rights activists
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33366/ratified-ilo-conventions-ignored-rights-activists

* Global brand to pay for safe workplace in BD garments
http://www.unb.com.bd/bangladesh-news/Global-brand-to-pay-for-safe-workplace-in-BD-garments-%C2%A0/61221

* Global apparel brand agrees to fix Bangladesh factory flaws
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/global-apparel-brand-agrees-to-fix-bangladesh-factory-flaws-1516681710
&
http://en.prothomalo.com/economy/news/169949/Global-brand-to-pay-2.3m-for-Bangladesh-RMG
&
https://bdnews24.com/economy/2018/01/23/global-brand-to-pay-out-for-worker-safety-in-bangladesh-garment-sector
&
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/01/23/global-brand-pay-2-3m-worker-safety-bangladesh-garment-sector/

* Global brand to pay $2.3m in complaint settlement
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33196/global-brand-to-pay-23m-in-complaint-settlement
&
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-brand-pay-usd-23-million-worker-safety-bangladesh-garment-rmg-sector-uni-global-union-rana-plaza-1523905

* Unions reach $2.3m settlement on Bangladesh textile factory safety
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/22/bandgladesh-textile-factory-safety-unions-settlement
&
http://www.industriall-union.org/global-unions-reach-us23-million-bangladesh-accord-settlement-with-multinational-brand

 

* High-value apparels
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/columns/high-value-apparels-1516725084

* AUTOMATION IN APPAREL: Boon or bane for Bangladesh?
http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/business-analysis/automation-apparel-1523047

 

* Khulna jute mill workers are starving
More than 25,000 workers of eight jute mills in Jessore and Khulna began continuous protests to press home their 11-point demand, halting the production of these factories. ..
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/01/24/khulna-jute-mill-workers/

* Half of unpaid wages of jute workers to be cleared: minister
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33119/half-of-unpaid-wages-of-jute-workers-to-be-cleared-minister

* Fire guts jhut warehouse in Ctg
Fire gutted valuables, worth Tk 3 lakh, at a jhut (scrap fabrics from garment factories) warehouse in Aturar Depot area in Chittagong city early yesterday, said fire officials.
The fire originated from a cigarette butt in the warehouse around 3:00am, they added.
Fire fighters managed to douse the blaze after five hours’ frantic effort.
http://www.thedailystar.net/city/fire-guts-jhut-warehouse-ctg-1523782

* Bangladesh seeks duty-free access for RMG to Russia
http://www.newagebd.net/article/33110/bangladesh-seeks-duty-free-access-for-rmg-to-russia

INDIA

* Seminar on Grievance Redressal for Garment Workers
http://tnlabour.in/garment-industry/6357

* Toll-free number brings legal aid to Indian garment workers
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-textiles-women/toll-free-number-brings-legal-aid-to-indian-garment-workers-idUSKBN1FB16F

* Powerloom weavers, traders upset over CMO’s tweet
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/powerloom-weavers-traders-upset-over-cmos-tweet/articleshow/62582513.cms
&
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/weavers-textile-traders-upset-over-cmos-tweet/articleshow/62585612.cms

* Sanction powerloom cluster to Sircilla: Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao to Centre
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2018/jan/21/sanction-power-loom-cluster-to-sircilla-telangana-it-minister-kt-rama-rao-to-centre-1760037.html

* Textile industry assured of amicable solution to GST issues
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/textile-industry-assured-of-amicable-solution-to-gst-issues/articleshow/62626379.cms

* Maharashtra cuts cotton forecast on worm infestation
http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2018/jan/24/maharashtra-cuts-cotton-forecast-on-worm-infestation-1762730.html

* 85% of pest-hit cotton fields uninsured, aid may be halved
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/85-of-pest-hit-cotton-fields-uninsured-aid-may-be-halved/articleshow/62586381.cms

PAKISTAN

* Health facilities, safety measures for labourers at workplace demanded
  
Photo by NTUF.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/186398/health-facilities-safety-measures-labourers-workplace-demanded/

* Activists blame government negligence, obstinate employers for workers’ deaths
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/271306-activists-blame-government-negligence-obstinate-employers-for-workers-deaths

* Powerloom owners for curbing speculation in yarn
https://www.dawn.com/news/1384687/powerloom-owners-for-curbing-speculation-in-yarn

* PM assures issues of ginners and cotton growers will be addressed
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1613104/2-pm-assures-issues-ginners-cotton-growers-will-addressed/

* Baldia factory fire victims’ families to receive pensions from February
https://dailytimes.com.pk/181951/baldia-factory-fire-victims-families-receive-pensions-february/

* Heirs of Baldia factory fire victims to get monthly pension

Photo by Zehra Khan.

Oversight committee meting on compensation disbursement of 5.1m$ for Baldia factory fire victims heirs was held in Karachi.
Great day for labour movement of Pakistan, after 5 years of long tireless struggle of victims’families and NTUF.
Thanks to ECCHR for raising the issue in Germany.

* Rauf gets interim bail in Baldia factory fire case
https://www.dawn.com/news/1383799

* Cotton import to touch $1.20 billion in 2018 on output shortfall, duty cut on import
https://dailytimes.com.pk/187301/cotton-import-touch-1-20-billion-2018-output-shortfall-duty-cut-import/

OTHER

* Canada’s new corporate behaviour office is just a start
….From labour rights violations in Vietnam, to human rights abuses attendant historically to mining operations abroad, to the hell-opening-up memories of the collapse of Rana Plaza, globalized business bears an ugly rap sheet. I’m not condemning all business here. I am condemning some of them…..
https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/01/19/canadas-new-corporate-behaviour-office-is-just-a-start.html

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latest tweets (& news)

Convention on the Rights of the Child
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

I wonder who they are
The men who really run this land
And I wonder why they run it
With such a thoughtless hand

What are their names
And on what streets do they live
I'd like to ride right over
This afternoon and give
Them a piece of my mind
About peace for mankind
Peace is not an awful lot to ask
    David Crosby

I wonder who they are
The people who are buying these clothes
I'd like to know what they've paid for it
How much the makers have paid for this
Fairer income is not an awful lot to ask
Better working conditions is not an awful lot to ask
    A. Searcher

For more and other (labour) news you can follow on twitter: @asearcher2