ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

On the surface, those garment workers who were not laid off as a result of the economic downturn should be considered lucky. But new data from an ILOled survey shows that even those who kept their jobs were not left unscathed – many have had their salaries significantly reduced and now struggle to cover basic living costs.

The study, which assessed 1200 employed and 800 unemployed Phnom Penh-based garment workers, seeks to better understand the hardships workers are facing as a result of the economic slowdown, as well as their coping mechanisms and job-seeking strategies when they are retrenched. Preliminary information was gathered between September and December 2009, and follow up interviews will be conducted at three- and six-month intervals. A full study will be completed during the third quarter of 2010.

The results of the preliminary survey show that employed workers face a range of new hardships, most importantly reduced income in 2009 compared to 2008. Workers now feel they do not have enough money to cover remittances and basic needs such as food, healthcare, and transport. Some employed workers who were retrenched and have since found new jobs are working under less favourable conditions. Many surveyed have sought assistance from trade unions to deal with challenges such as asking for leave and late wage payments.

Most unemployed workers surveyed lost their jobs during factory closures or cutbacks due to reduced orders. One in ten unemployed workers were retrenched two or more times in 2009. While a small percentage of those retrenched have since found new jobs, at the time of the survey, the majority were still looking for work. The survey also found that laid off workers most commonly look for jobs in other garment factories, although only one in three succeed in finding work.

Those who look for work outside the garment sector typically look to the service sector for work as salespeople, tailors, food vendors or tuk-tuk drivers. Very few enrol in training programs, even though many would like to. The families of some workers – both employed and unemployed – have sent additional family members to find work to help cope with reductions in income, mostly female siblings between 16-28 years of age.

Significantly, three quarters of unemployed workers said they would return to their home villages if they could not find work within six weeks.

POLICIES IN TEXTILE SECTOR

POLICIES IN TEXTILE SECTOR

Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIA)’s Agency Director, Abi Woldemeskel, while laying down the agency’s performance report before the Trade and Industry Affairs Standing Committee in the House of Peoples' Representatives’, stated that, during last five years, the agency has given out over 11,000 investment licences to local and overseas investors, whose aggregated funding came to 423 billion Birr.

He divulged that 295 billion Birr of the aggregated capital, has flowed from 6,255 foreign investment projects.According to him, employment opportunities have been generated for over 130,000 citizens, from the projects which have entered the production phase and added that, as all the projects go fully functional, over two million other jobs will be created.

As the industry development strategy primarily concentrates on the textile and clothing, leather and leather products, this has lead to encouraging project implementation in these areas and 3,247 investment projects were ready for launch as there was satisfactory infrastructural development in accordance with the schemes, he said.

Green Campaign To Set Very High Standard

Maderia USA launches Shades of Green Campaign. Embroidery thread and supplies distributor Madeira USA has launched a year-long campaign to keep embroiderers aware of its commitment to the environment.

“As an industry leader,” explains company president Hajo Voeller, “we are very aware of the example we set, beginning at the manufacturing level in Germany, to the way we conduct business at our 11 locations, through to the practices we use to deliver our goods to the end user.”Beyond the company’s sound eco-friendly practices at the point of manufacturing, Madeira USA is committed to taking every step it can to assure the company is leading the way in re-using, re-cycling, re-thinking and reducing waste.

Believing that even small things can make a difference, the company practices shutting off lights in rooms that are unoccupied, re-using shipping cartons, transitioning over to energy efficient light bulbs, to name a few. Further, Madeira encourages embroiderers to properly dispose of empty spool and cone cores. Having researched the laws in the 11 parts of the U.S. where Madeira is located, Madeira encourages recycling the plastic cores wherever possible, and advises its customers to log onto www.Earth911.com to learn where, in each customer’s own area, the plastic cores will be accepted for re-cycling.

A collectible, commemorative spool shade kit has been designed for the campaign, offering customers a plastic case with 12 spools in shades of a designated color. The spools are 40 weight and are available in Classic Rayon or 100% polyester Polyneon.

Beginning with green, then brown, each month through the rest of the year will see the availability of a new kit with 12 color shades.

HUNTSMAN TEXTILES

ALBAFLOW UNI-01 is a newly developed, highly efficient, silicon and mineral oil free penetration accelerant, versatile in application for dyeing natural and synthetic fibers. It excels with outstanding wetting, de-foaming and de-aerating performance. This all in one agent’s main strength lies mainly in its excellence in supporting dye-bath penetration.

Numerous other characteristics bring a whole host of benefits to the dyeing process. Being silicon oil free there is no risk of spotting on the fabric or residue on the machinery, both of which can be costly for the dyer. Foamless processing is yet another added value ALBAFLOW UNI-01 contribution. Its efficacy lies in inhibiting foaming which would normally develop and negatively impact liquor and goods circulation thereby causing tangles and spots.

In summary, ALBAFLOW UNI-01, the penetration accelerant, is every dyer’s dream come true. Its versatility, outstanding penetration properties and ease of use make for right first time dyeing every time.

Electronic Textiles

Electronic Textiles

Can you believe this that a fabric you are wearing can monitor your healths, guard you in case of any danger, measure the chemical mixture of your body fluids and do many more such things. But of course it is possible in today's world of technology. Here we are taking about none other than the electronic textile, which is the commendable invention in the category of smart textile.

textile is used in numerous industries and purposes that are useful not only for human beings but for the entire living beings on the Earth. Electronic textiles or more often called e textiles are the textiles that have electronics and interconnections. These electronics are woven into the fabric to make e textile wearable. With advancement in this sector you can get from very simple computing devices to large and complex sensing and protective textiles. Definition of Electronic Textile by E-Textile Research Group

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) are fabrics that have electronics and interconnections woven into them, with physical flexibility and size that cannot be achieved with existing electronic manufacturing techniques. Components and interconnections are intrinsic to the fabric and thus are less visible and not susceptible to becoming tangled together or snagged by the surroundings. An e-textile can be worn in everyday situations where currently available wearable computers would hinder the user. E-textiles can also more easily adapt to changes in the computational and sensing requirements of an application, a useful feature for power management and context awareness.

Advancements in Electronic Textiles
Scientist have developed the wireless key board fabric called ' Eleck Tex' a form of e textile. This is the patented accomplishment of Eleksen. This electronic textile is just 0.6 mm thick and used in handheld PCs, personal digital assistants and smart phones. This cloth is light in weight, wearable and washable. Another efficient e-textile has been developed by Virginia Tech (VT) researchers. This electronic textile can observe your movements that include walking, running, sitting or standing. The e-textile is called Hokie Suit and has the capability of detecting any change in the direction and speed of motion of a person as it has interwoven wires and sensors. To wash this fabric just remove the sensors and wash it with wires. The data collected by sensors can then be transferred to computers to monitor your health during movements. Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles (SFIT) has a dedicated team and many projects related to smart fabrics. These include Biotex (Bio-Sensing Textiles to Support Health Management), PROETEX (Protection e-Textiles: MicroNanostructured fibre systems for Emergency-Disaster Wear), OFSETH (Optical Fibre Sensors Embedded into technical Textile for Healthcare). Under the OFSETH project the optical fibers are used that can use light both as carrier and sensor. By this the oxygen content of the blood can be measured. This smart fabric can be wore around the neck.

E-textile has large application in narrow fabric industry. Electronic textile webbings are used extensively to transfer data, power and as input device. This e textile has been developed by Foster Miller Inc in combination with Chester.

So e-textiles or electronic textiles are indeed a bless as this technologically advanced fabric is used and potential of being used in medical and safety industry.