Editorial: Factory Safety Issues Raised as Textile and Garment Exports from Pakistan Gain Easier Access to the EU market

On September 11, 2012, a fire broke out at a garment factory in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 289 workers. It has been alleged that the high death toll was due to the fact that the factory had no fire fighting equipment and only one escape route was available. In an unfortunate irony, during the same month that the fire broke out, the European Parliament voted to allow easier access to EU imports of certain textile and clothing items from Pakistan. The emergency trade preferences were granted in response to the humanitarian and economic disaster caused by the floods which hit the country during July-September 2010 despite vehement opposition by Euratex (European Apparel and Textile Confederation). The fire has sparked new concern and debate over the working conditions in Pakistan's garment factories. In this report, Robin Anson analyses the reactions to the fire from trade union groups, pressure groups such as the Clean Clothes Campaign and apparel brands. He also provides a conclusion in which he challenges governments in apparel producing countries to invest in safer workplaces, and speculates whether the factory fire will prompt brands to engage more actively in corporate social responsibility (CSR).

To read the full report buy issue 158 now	Subscribe

• World textile and apparel trade and production trends: South Asia, August 2012, (August 2012)
• Trade and trade policy: the EU clothing import market and its ten largest supplying countries, 3rd quarter 2011, (3rd Quarter 2011)
• Editorial: Pakistan's Textile and Clothing Exporters May Gain Duty-Free Access to EU Markets, (June 2011)

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries ? and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues.
Reports in Textile Outlook International include:
	country profiles ? providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future.
	company profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations.
	trends in world textile and apparel trade and production ? taking into account current issues facing the industry ? such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more.
	trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing ? providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories.
	innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets.
So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing ? in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
Textile Outlook International is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert.
Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information ? but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don?t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility.