February-March '26 | New Incidents Report Reveals Persistent Violations, Garment Shipments Disrupted by Middle East Conflict, and more…
In our ongoing commitment to providing insight into the evolving landscape of labour and environmental rights within the textile and garment industry, we share with you the latest developments. In this edition of Textile Insight, we focus on how geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and persistent labour and environmental risks are shaping global garment production. The newly released 2025 Textile Incidents Report provides an overview of documented labour and environmental violations across multiple production countries, highlighting recurring issues such as union busting, unpaid wages and factory safety failures. At the same time, new research and reporting continue to draw attention to the environmental and health impacts of textile production, including the risks posed by toxic chemicals.
We hope you find these insights useful!
Your project team
STUDIES & REPORTS
2025 Textile Incidents Report – Recognising and Eliminating Risks (pdf)
The latest 2025 Textile Incident Report is now available online, providing a comprehensive overview of the work behind Textile-Incidents.info. Documenting cases of labour rights and environmental violations across several countries, the website highlights cases such as union busting, unpaid wages, and factory fires in major production hubs. By making these cases visible, the report underlines why robust human rights and environmental due diligence remains essential – particularly at a time when the implementation of the CSDDD is being postponed. For information and exchange, please contact us at
Assessing the Impact of the Supply Chain Act (pdf in German)
Three years after Germany’s Supply Chain Act (LkSG) came into force, a new report from Germanwatch shows how it is driving tangible change: From workers securing fair wages and union rights to companies restructuring their approach to human rights. However, the report offers an analysis of what is at stake if the law is weakened at both the EU level and within Germany.
Heat Stress on the Garment Floor: a Crisis for Workers
A new report form HeatWatch and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences documents the severe impact of extreme heat on India’s 45 million garment workers. Based on extensive surveys, the findings reveal that basic protections are failing: a majority of workers lack clean water, toilet access, and ventilation, leading to widespread health issues. The report warns that this is not just a labor crisis but a major business risk for the $35 billion industry, that could lead to a 4.5% decline in the country’s GDP by 2030. The reports end by offering concrete recommendations for legal reforms, factory infrastructure improvements, and stronger worker protections.
NEWS
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Garment Shipments from South Asia
The conflict in the Middle East is causing significant disruptions since the Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways cancelled flights and shipments of garments for major brands are stranded at airports in Bangladesh and India, sparking fears of a major new crisis for the fashion industry.
Funding Cuts Weaken Garment Industry’s Labor Movement
The garment industry’s labor rights movement is facing a severe crisis after the dissolution of USAID and cuts to European fundings have decimated programs that supported workers and rooted out abuse. As geopolitical turmoil and tariffs add to the pressure, experts warn that workers are becoming the “shock absorbers” for the industry’s volatility, with labour abuses likely to worsen unless brands reform their purchasing practices.
“Social Washing”: How Fashion Brands Mislead Consumers
A new analysis by SOMO, Consumentenbond, and the Clean Clothes Campaign has found that clothing brands regularly use overly general and misleading claims about fair pay and safety working conditions. The Dutch consumer authority (ACM) has now agreed to look into how “social washing” – the misleading use of audits and certifications – could potentially be tackled, raising the possibility for sanctions against offending brands.
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Bangladesh
Workers Strike at Bangladeshi Garment Factory Over Unpaid Allowances (New Textile Incident)
Workers at Ripon Knitwear Limited in Gazipur, a supplier for brands in the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, have stopped work to demand outstanding night shift allowances and holiday pay.
Lesotho
How US Tariffs Triggered a Gendered Supply Chain Shock in Lesotho
The imposition of steep US tariffs on Lesotho has triggered a severe crisis in the country’s garment sector, its largest private employer. Tens of thousands of workers are affected, 80-95% of whom are women, prompting IndustryAll to warn of a “gendered supply chain shock” in an economy where women already face limited alternatives in a strongly patriarchal labour market.
India
Indian Scientists Develop Nano-membrane to Remove Toxic Textile Dyes
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have developed advanced “nano fibre membranes” that can remove up to 99.1% of toxic dye waste from textile effluents. The innovation offers a low-cost solution to a persistent pollution problem, allowing industries to treat and reuse wastewater while meeting environmental norms and protecting water bodies from carcinogenic contaminants.
The risks posed by textile chemicals are not limited to production sites: a recent consumer case involving a swimsuit sold by Zara – reported after a toddler suffered severe skin irritation – illustrates how hazardous substances can also persist in finished garments, highlighting the need for stronger controls across the entire textile supply chain.
NETWORK & EVENTS
18 March 2026 | 16:00–19:00 | Auditorium at bUM, Berlin
Launch Event “The Drip: Water, Labour and Sustainability in the Fashion Industry”
Drip by Drip will host the launch of The Drip, a new publication bringing together perspectives from across the textile supply chain, with a particular focus on South Asia. The event will feature a panel discussion and artistic contributions exploring water and justice in the global fashion industry. Print copies of the publication will be available at the event. Registration required.
We invite you to contribute events and networking opportunities for future editions by contacting us at
- Created on .