Zara, Nike, H&M, and Levi's Adapt to EU Sustainability Rules
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The growing heat risk poses critical health and occupational safety challenges for such workers, forming the backbone of global supply chains for retailers such as Inditex, H&M, Nike, and Levi's. Therefore, new European Union regulations bring retailers to task for the working conditions of their suppliers and require such retailers to finance measures, including improved factory cooling systems.
Only a handful of brands have put in place protocols for heat safety so far, even as the urgency mounts. According to the experts, failure to have such measures in place might lead not only to worker injuries causing production loss but also to major losses in the economy. With such problems, stakeholders in the industry are urged to take quick steps in balancing the climate practices with ethical requirements to save their workforce.
Surat's Garment Sector Eyes 25% Growth Amid Bangladesh's Challenges: Report
This garment sector of Surat is seeing buoyancy in demand as brands, both global and domestic, are now looking toward the Indian manufacturers in light of political instability and labor unrest in Bangladesh. Renowned for ethnic wear, kurtis, low-cost womens wear, some denim facilitating wear, Surat is now letting itself draw strong inquiries for ready-to-wear garments. Industry pundits are predicting this interest could take the current growth of the sector from 12% to 20-25% annual lift-the caveat being that such inquiries, as they come, must be converted into orders.
Second only to China in the export of ready-made garments, Bangladesh is also the largest importer of fabric from Surat. However, it is these days marred by the problems of political unrest, law and order issues, and worker strikes which prompt several multinational brands to look for the next-best possible alternate supply chains.
Surat's man-made fibre-dominated textile sector, which has an average monthly turnover of around rs600 crore, is again well placed to ride this wave. Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Ludhiana, and Noida, as other major textile manufacturing hubs of India, all in the states of Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, are also expected to benefit from the demand growth. Indeed, this is an opportunity for Surat and indeed other regions to carve a niche in the garb of global players in garment manufacturing.
Conclusion
The garment industry is at a transformative juncture as it grapples with challenges and opportunities on multiple fronts. Global brands like Zara, Nike, H&M, and Levi's are under increasing pressure to comply with EU sustainability regulations while addressing critical climate risks in garment hubs such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan. At the same time, Surat's garment sector is emerging as a key player, with the potential for significant growth fueled by rising demand from global brands seeking alternative supply chains amid Bangladesh's instability.
This dual narrative highlights the urgency for ethical and sustainable practices and the potential for Indian manufacturing hubs like Surat to capitalize on shifting dynamics. By embracing innovation and ensuring worker well-being, the industry can create a balanced, resilient supply chain that meets both global standards and local growth ambitions.
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