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BCI better cotton accounts for

14% of global cotton production

BCI 2017 annual report launched at the BCI Global updates.
Cotton Conference revealed Better Cotton - BCI Partners and Members involvement in the
accounts for 14% of cotton production globally with stakeholders question and answer section.
an increase of 2% on 2016. - Understanding of the BCI funding model and
investment mechanism.
During 2017-18 cotton season, 1.3 million licensed
BCI farmers produced 3.3 million metric tonnes of On sustainable agricultural practices, the BCI
Better Cotton lint from 21 countries in 5 continents strategic partners trained 1.6 million cotton farmers
which enabled a record of sustainable cotton in 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
produced in the global supply chain.
To verify that cotton producers remain complaint ad
BCI continuously strives to make global cotton with all requirements for licensing, an internal and
production better for growers, better for the external assessment is made using the BCI
environment it grows in and better for the sector’s Assurance Programme. Several licenses were
future. denied and cancelled for non-compliance with
minimum requirements on pesticide application
Annual report highlights and producers unable to submit accurate farm
- BCI initiative to sustainable cotton production level results data. Hence, the total number of BCI
which includes gender inequality challenges, farmers decreased as compared to previous year.
innovative farming practices and its But these farmers have continued training in the
implementation, BCI farmers cotton production BCI Programme and are now eligible to apply for
experience, and implementing partners in Pakistan, new licenses again.
China and Mozambique.
- BCI global reach in Global Harvest Report which Despite fewer licensed BCI farmers, the volume of
provides an insight to global and country level Better Cotton has increased globally because of
figures and Better Cotton Standard System high yielding, large farm producers.

Cambodian parliament passes draft

minimum wage law; $170 per month

The draft minimum wage is passed by Cambodia's the law of minimum wage, a National Minimum
National Assembly for the welfare of employees. Wage Council will be established to set the
The bill was unanimously passed by 108 minimum wage for employees in various sectors.”
lawmakers including Prime Minister; Mr Samdech
Techo Hun Sen. The law will improve the living The minister informed that the law extended
conditions as well as promote investment and beyond garment and footwear sector and that the
business environment. minimum monthly wage now is $170 per month. It
was $40 in 1997.
Mr Pen Panha, Chairman National Assembly's
Commission on Legislation and Justice said, After the National Assembly's approval, the bill
“Factors taking into account for setting a minimum needs to be finally reviewed by the Senate before
wage are focused on economic conditions, cost of being submitted to nation's King Mr Norodom
living, and virtual situation in the country and under Sihamoni for promulgation.

May/June 2018