SGS Responsible Business Services - International News on Social Responsibility

1. Import and Export Volume in the First Three Quarters Increased by 22.7% - the Overall Positive Trend of Foreign Trade Haven’t Changed
General Administration of Customs announced that the import and export volume of China’s foreign trade reaches CNY 28.33 trillion, marking a year-on-year growth by 22.7%. China’s foreign trade has shown a positive growth for five consecutive quarters. The export volume is CNY 15.55 trillion with a 22.7% increase year-on-year; while the import volume is CNY 12.78, rising by 22.6% from the same period last year. The emerging businesses, such as cross-border e-commerce and market procurement trade are thriving, and the forms and structures of trade are further improved. In 2021, China’s import and export volume rise by 29.7%, 25.2%, 15.2% year-on year for the first, second and three quarter respectively, decreasing gradually. In view of this, it is anticipated that growth will continue to be slow in the last quarter of this year, but the overall positive trend of foreign trade will not change.

2. China’s Exports of Textile and Garment Saw a Sound Development Trend
According to the data, China’s exports of textile and garment saw a sound and positive trend in the first half of 2021, rising by 12.8% from an already high base. The exports of traditional commodities record growth compared to the same period of 2020 and 2019. However, enterprises profits were squeezed due to RMB exchange rate fluctuation, the soaring ocean freight, and the surging import prices of raw materials and semi-manufactures. With chance events excluded, it is estimated that China’s export amount of textile and garment will record a small increase for the whole 2021.

3. WHO/ILO: Almost 2 Million People Die from Work-related Causes Each Year
According to the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury, 2000-2016: Global Monitoring Report, the majority of work-related deaths were due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The study considers 19 occupational risk factors, including exposure to long working hours and workplace exposure to air pollution, asthmagens, carcinogens, ergonomic risk factors, and noise. The key risk was exposure to long working hours – linked to approximately 750,000 deaths. Workplace exposure to air pollution (particulate matter, gases and fumes) was responsible for 450,000 deaths.

4. ILO Report Finds More than 4 Billion People Still Lack Any Social Protection  
The <World Social Protection Report 2020-22: Social protection at the crossroads – in pursuit of a better future> gives a global overview of recent developments in social protection systems. There are significant regional inequalities in social protection. Europe, Central Asia and the Americas are above the global average, while Asia, the Pacific, the Arab States and Africa fall behind, marking coverage gaps. Worldwide, only 26.4% children receive a social protection benefit. Only 45% of women with newborns worldwide receive a cash maternity benefit. Only 33.5% persons with severe disabilities worldwide receive a disability benefit. Coverage of unemployment benefits is even lower. As for the old-age pension for people above retirement age, major disparities remain across regions, between rural and urban areas, and between women and men.

5. Asia Garment Hub - A Digital Gateway to Sustainability and Decent Work Resources for the Garment and Textiles Industry - is Launched
A collaboration between GIZ FABRIC and ILO’s Decent Work in Garment Supply Chains Asia project, the Asia Garment Hub, aims to help industry stakeholders understand, promote and operationalize decent work and sustainable business practices across the supply chain. Its key features include a comprehensive resource library, an interactive industry map, country data and insights, as well as access to training, expertise, and online discussions.

ENQUIRIES AND REGISTRATION：

Ms Calla Huang
t: +86 (0) 755 2532 8137
e: cn.rbs@sgs.com

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