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
Daveed Baptiste wins 2025 Empowered Vision Award
Published
December 14, 2025
Designer Daveed Baptiste has been named the recipient of the 2025 Empowered Vision Award, presented by The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
The announcement was made Thursday evening at a cocktail reception at the W Union Square in New York City, where artistic director and cultural advocate Edward Buchanan and supermodel Imaan Hammam revealed Baptiste as this year’s honouree. The event drew members of the fashion industry, media, and design community to celebrate the award’s mission of supporting and elevating Black designers.
“Daveed Baptiste ultimately distinguished themselves through clear, thoughtful storytelling and a disciplined, vulnerable approach to building and strengthening their tools to lead a business,” said Milton Dixon III, program director of the Empowered Vision Award.
“We’re proud to support a designer whose work speaks to the future of fashion, and we’re excited to move forward with them over the next year of mentorship and continued investment.”
The Empowered Vision Award includes a $100,000 financial grant, along with a year-long mentorship program valued at an additional $100,000. The initiative is designed to provide emerging Black designers with critical funding, industry guidance, and strategic support to help scale their businesses and build a global presence
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Fashion
US textile imports steady as Cambodia, Bangladesh gain market share
China retained its position as the largest supplier with a **.** per cent market share, followed by Vietnam at **.** per cent. However, China’s share continued to slide month after month, reflecting a structural shift in sourcing. American buyers are increasingly diversifying towards Southeast and South Asia to reduce tariff exposure, mitigate geopolitical risk, counter rising production and labour costs, and build more resilient supply chains.
During January–September ****, apparel imports—the dominant product category—rose by *.** per cent to $**.*** billion, compared with $**.*** billion in the corresponding period of ****. In contrast, non-apparel imports fell by *.** per cent to $**.*** billion, as slower housing activity, cautious consumer spending, and order rationalisation by retailers softened demand for home textiles, industrial textiles, and made-ups.
Fashion
Calvin Klein opens new global flagship store in New York’s SoHo
Located at 530 Broadway in the heart of SoHo, the 3,000+ square foot selling space reaffirms Calvin Klein’s commitment to creating premium lifestyle destinations that marry the brand’s distinctive minimalism with authentic local energy. The store’s design was inspired by New York City’s signature loft apartments, creating a modern, warm environment that evokes the creative legacy of downtown New York and provides an ideal backdrop for the essential denim, underwear and apparel synonymous with the brand – while reinforcing Calvin Klein’s deep roots in the city.
Calvin Klein has opened its new global flagship at 530 Broadway in New York’s SoHo, marking a major brand homecoming and reinforcing its global lifestyle positioning.
The loft-inspired space highlights denim, underwear, apparel and accessories, alongside campaign-driven displays.
A limited-edition Calvin Klein Soho capsule debuts now, with Calvin Klein Collection pieces arriving from Spring 2026.
David Savman, Global Brand President, Calvin Klein said, “We are proud to return to one of the world’s most fashionable cities – and the birthplace of our iconic brand – with an elevated retail expression. This new global flagship, located just steps from our landmark Houston Street billboard, is a tribute to Calvin Klein’s New York heritage. It represents both the evolution of our retail experience and a tangible expression of the world of Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein embodies a distinctive, global way of living that meets culture, and this store is the latest step on our journey of taking our brand to the next level.”
“New York is central to the DNA of the Calvin Klein brand,” said Stefan Larsson, CEO, PVH Corp. “This homecoming is a key milestone as we build Calvin Klein into one of the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world. Step by step, we’re deepening brand relevance, driving consumer engagement and strengthening brand positioning across North America and globally.”
The store showcases Calvin Klein’s lifestyle offering through curated spaces framed against the latest marketing campaigns. Denim and underwear anchor the experience, complemented by men’s and women’s apparel and accessories to round out the world of Calvin Klein. Key styles from Calvin Klein Collection, the pinnacle expression of the brand, will be available during designated times beginning in Spring 2026. As part of the opening, the store will house a limited-edition capsule featuring tees, fleece sweatshirts, hats and totes emblazoned with custom Calvin Klein Soho branding in navy, cobalt, grey and white colorways.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
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