Fashion
Cambodian unions demand $232 minimum wage for textile workers in 2026
“This is not merely a request, it is an urgent necessity grounded in the real costs of survival for Cambodian workers and the demonstrated economic capacity of the country,” the organisations said in a joint press statement.
Cambodian trade unions and civil society groups are urging a rise in the 2026 minimum wage to $232, citing widening gaps between wages and living costs.
Studies show workers spend nearly double their income on essentials, with many trapped in debt.
While below the living wage, unions call the demand reasonable and vital.
The statement is backed by 27 organisations.
The demand highlighted the stark gap between wages and the cost of living. The Asia Floor Wage Alliance’s 2024 Consumption Survey found that workers spend an average of $408 per month on food and non-food needs, nearly double their income. As per research by the Anker Institute estimated Cambodia’s urban living wage at $232 per month in 2024, with households needing $417 to secure a decent standard of living. CNV Internationaal’s 2024 Fair Work Monitor finds a 41 per cent gap between average earnings and living costs, driving 73 per cent of workers into debt just to survive.
The signatories stressed that persistent wage-expenditure gap pushes workers further into debt, traps them in poverty, and forces them to compromise on food, healthcare, and education. They stated that it is unacceptable that the backbone of Cambodia’s economy—the garment and footwear workers—are denied the most basic conditions for a dignified life while the sector continues to attract global investment and deliver profits for brands and employers.
While research confirms that household expenses continue to surpass workers’ incomes, unions have put forward what they describe as a fair and balanced demand for 2026. They acknowledged that a minimum wage of $232 still falls short of covering the full cost of living, yet stress that it represents the essential adjustment required for the coming year.
“We call on the National Minimum Wage Council, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the Royal Government of Cambodia, and employers’ associations to recognise these undeniable realities and approve a new minimum wage of at least $232 for 2026,” added the statement.
The joint call has been endorsed by 27 organisations, including the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU), Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), Clean Clothes Campaign (Netherlands), Labour Behind the Label (UK), and Maquila Solidarity Network (Canada).
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Vietnam textile-garment sector targets $50 mn in exports in 2026
The goal, however, is challenging due to external pressures, including stricter technical barriers, reciprocal tariffs on goods exported to the United States, and the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for selected industrial products.
Therefore, major export industries in the country have started restructuring and adjusting strategies early in the year to seize market opportunities.
Following a record export value of $475 billion achieved in 2025—up by 17 per cent YoY—Vietnam aims at adding nearly $38 billion to the figure in 2026.
Major export industries in the country have begun restructuring and adjusting strategies early in the year to seize market opportunities.
The textile and garment sector, which earned $46 billion in 2025, has set a target of $50 billion in exports in 2026.
The textile and garment sector, which earned $46 billion in 2025, has set a target of $50 billion in exports in 2026.
The sector is focusing on strengthening domestic supply chains, raising localisation rates and making more effective use of free trade agreements (FTAs), Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), was cited as saying by a domestic media outlet.
Exports may grow by 15-16 per cent this year, driven by market expansion and a shift towards higher-value products, according to MB Securities’ Vietnam Outlook 2026 report.
Fibre2Fashion (DS)
Fashion
Netherlands’ goods exports to US fall 4.7% in Jan-Oct 2025
The data showed that the decline was driven mainly by weaker domestic exports, with goods produced in the Netherlands down 8 per cent YoY. In contrast, re-exports to the US rose 3.9 per cent during the period. Exports to the US have fallen every month on a YoY basis since July, CBS said in a press release.
Trade flows were influenced by uncertainty around US import tariffs. In the first half of 2025, trade between the two countries continued to grow, possibly as companies advanced shipments ahead of announced tariff measures.
Goods exports from the Netherlands to the United States fell 4.7 per cent YoY to €27.5 billion (~$33 billion) in the first ten months of 2025, driven by an 8 per cent drop in domestic exports, according to CBS.
Re-exports rose 3.9 per cent, while tariff uncertainty weighed on trade.
Imports from the US increased 1.9 per cent to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion).
Meanwhile, imports from the United States rose 1.9 per cent YoY to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion) in the first ten months of 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Philippines revises Q3 2025 GDP growth down to 3.9%
The Philippines’ economic growth for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 has been revised slightly lower, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 3.9 per cent year on year (YoY), down from the preliminary estimate of 4 per cent.
Gross national income growth for the quarter was also revised to 5.4 per cent from 5.6 per cent, while net primary income from the rest of the world was adjusted to 16.2 per cent from 16.9 per cent.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has revised down the country’s third-quarter 2025 GDP growth to 3.9 per cent from an earlier estimate of 4 per cent.
Gross national income growth was also lowered to 5.4 per cent, while net primary income from abroad eased to 16.2 per cent.
The PSA said the adjustments reflect its standard, internationally aligned revision policy.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said the revisions were made in line with its approved revision policy, which follows international standards for national accounts updates.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
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