Page 13 - TEXtalks. March- April 2023

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Chinese textile and clothing

exports decline by 19 percent

Chinese textile and apparel exports declined by 18.5 percent year on year over January-February in dollar
terms, as per figures released by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import
and Export of Textiles (CCCT).

The decline in clothing exports was lower at 14.7 percent and was valued at $21.68 billion. The combined
exports of textile and clothing were valued at $40.84 billion. The overall decline was 18.5 percent. China's
textile exports, including yarn, fabrics, and others, registered a fall of 22.4 percent year-on-year to reach
$19.164 billion in the first two months of 2023 against the exports of $24.690 billion in January-February
2022. The imports of textile yarn and fabric products by China also declined by 33.2 percent to $1.395 billion
in January-February 2023 against the shipment of $2.087 billion during the corresponding period of last
year. China exported textiles, apparel, and clothing accessories worth $323.344 billion in 2022, registering a
mild growth of 2.53 percent compared to the previous year.

The trade figure from China started appearing after 1988 when CCCT was established in Beijing as part of
the national commerce ministry, attributed the drop-off to factors including the relatively high value of goods
exported during the comparative period last year, as well as the reduced volume of overseas orders placed
AD
with China-based suppliers between January and February.

Thai garment workers files

complaint against Tesco

Retail group Tesco and Intertek a quality and safety This would probably be the first time UK-based
audit body face action over the alleged treatment of companies would face litigation in the English courts
workers at a jeans factory in Thailand after com- over the treatment of workers in an overseas
plaints from workers who made jeans and denim garment factory owned by third-party suppliers.
jackets at a factory. Intertek and Tesco have both said they are not
involved.
A case against retail group Tesco and testing and
certification body Intertek could go before courts in According to the workers they were dismissed from
England if these organizations fail to settle workers’ the garment factory in 2020 after confronting
claims for compensation. managers about the conditions there. After failing to
get justice from Thai courts they are now asking for
As a first step in legal proceedings, Leigh Day, a UK compensation from Tesco too because they allege
legal firm representing 130 Asian garment workers, the retail group was negligent in allowing a third-par-
sent a ‘letter before action’, to the two UK-based ty supplier to treat them badly and because Tesco
multinational companies in December. Based on gained financial benefit from the work they did in
workers complaints Leigh Day has asked Tesco and making jeans and jackets.
Intertek to settle their claims for compensation failing
which the workers will consider progressing the Tesco sold its business in the Asia to Bangkok
matter in the High Court in England. based conglomerate CP Group in November 2020.

March/April 2023