Latest news with #FLA
Fibre2Fashion
6 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
AAFA & FLA urge Bangladesh to act on labour rights reforms
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) have jointly urged Bangladesh's interim government to take immediate and concrete steps to improve labour rights in the country's garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors. The AAFA and FLA have urged Bangladesh's interim government to take immediate action on labour rights, including releasing arrested workers from the Fall 2023 protests and reforming the minimum wage review process. They also called for labour law revisions to meet international standards, stressing that such steps are crucial for worker welfare, export growth, and progress in US tariff negotiations. In a letter addressed to Dr Muhammad Yunus, the organisations called for the release of workers and labour leaders arrested during the Fall 2023 wage protests and the withdrawal of associated charges. Despite prior engagements, including delegations to Bangladesh in late 2024 and early 2025, the AAFA and FLA expressed concern in the letter over the lack of progress on key issues. These include establishing an annual, transparent minimum wage review mechanism for the garment, footwear, and travel goods industries, with participation from all stakeholders, and revising the Bangladesh Labour Act to align with international standards. Reforms sought include easing trade union registration, increasing penalties for unfair labour practices, and extending full rights to workers in Export Processing Zones (EPZs). The associations emphasised that resolving these matters is essential not only for the well-being of workers but also for the sustained growth of Bangladesh's export industries. They also linked progress on labour rights to the ongoing negotiations with the US over proposed tariffs. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FLA names Shanika Amarasekara as new chief executive
The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) in the UK has named Shanika Amarasekara as its new chief executive, effective from the beginning of August. She will succeed Stephen Haddrill, who is set to retire from the trade body at the end of July. Amarasekara has extensive experience in financial services, with a focus on economic development and innovation. Most recently, she served as chief impact officer at the British Business Bank, where she managed policy, strategy, economics, sustainability, and public affairs. Amarasekara said: 'It's an honour to be joining the FLA at such a pivotal time. 'The finance and leasing sectors have a powerful role to play in driving sustainable growth, supporting innovation, and delivering fair outcomes for customers. The association already has a strong foundation – and I'm looking forward to working with the Board, members and stakeholders to build even greater impact, visibility and value in the years ahead.' Prior to this, she held the role of general counsel at the same organisation, contributing significantly to the design and implementation of national finance schemes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her earlier career includes senior legal and advisory positions at the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation, where she worked on cross-border Islamic finance structures, as well as roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Allen & Overy. FLA chair John Phillipou said: 'The board is immensely pleased to have appointed Shanika to this key role. 'Stephen Haddrill, the outgoing DG, has done a great job modernising the FLA, and Shanika's breadth of experience, range of contacts and astute industry insights will help shape the next phase of the Association's development.' In 2024, FLA members provided £155bn ($208bn) in new finance to UK businesses and households. Of this, £115bn was consumer credit, accounting for nearly a third of total new consumer credit issued in the UK during the year. Earlier this month, the FLA reported that asset finance new business, including leasing and hire purchase, rose by 11% in March 2025 compared with March 2024. "FLA names Shanika Amarasekara as new chief executive" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour rights, transparency concerns in Brazil's leather supply chain
The research, which spanned six months in 2024 studied more than 100 sources, including scholarly articles, studies, opinion pieces, and news coverage, as well as interviews with 19 key stakeholders. The report titled 'Toward promoting human rights and decent working conditions in the leather supply chain,' aims to provide a detailed examination of Brazil's leather sector, assessing both its global and national dimensions to pinpoint labour and human rights challenges, chart obstacles, and highlight ongoing efforts. FLA executive vice president and chief innovation officer Richa Mittal said: 'By illuminating challenges in upstream supply chains for commodities like leather, we aim to drive accountability and inspire collective actions toward a more equitable industry. This will help ensure dignity and respect for all workers at all levels of a company's global supply chain – not just Tier One.' The leather sector in Brazil with a valuation of approximately $3bn, holds the position of the world's third-largest after Italy and the US, notes the report. Annually, Brazil processes around 40m hides and serves 80 different international markets. The European Union receives a significant portion of these exports, accounting for 25% or roughly 8m hides. The industry is supported by 244 tanneries and provides employment to around 30,000 individuals within the country. Projections indicate that over the next 20 years, the Brazilian beef industry may witness a growth of 35%. The expansion of this sector is closely linked to the leather industry, which plays a critical role. Notably, Brazilian leather sees a high export rate with over 80% being shipped abroad, in stark contrast to beef production where only 20% reaches foreign markets. Supply chain opacity: A disconnect among farms, slaughterhouses, and tanneries leads to information gaps, reduced traceability of products, undisclosed operations and limited insight into labour conditions. Labour and human rights concerns: Workers are said to encounter considerable hazards throughout the leather production cycle: • Slaughterhouses grapple with ongoing worker mistreatment, psychological distress, gender bias, safety issues, and more • Tanneries are plagued by exposure to harmful chemicals, child labour risks, temporary employment practices, and an absence of unions or worker representation • Farms exhibit irregular employment practices; lack proper living conditions; and have issues with inadequate pay and potential modern slavery. Certifications: Current supplier certifications inadequately address labour conditions and human rights and fail to encompass upstream segments of the supply chain (slaughterhouses and farms) where the greatest risks lie. Collaboration deficit: The apparel, footwear and meat packaging sectors have not established structured partnerships to create traceability or enforce human rights due diligence (HRDD) throughout the entire value chain. The report outlines four approaches that businesses can implement to enhance traceability and integrate social and environmental considerations into the upstream supply chain: 1. Companies can develop proprietary traceability systems and human rights environmental due diligence (HREDD) processes that are predominantly directed through their Tier One suppliers. 2. Businesses may collaborate with third-party entities on traceability initiatives and evaluations that could adopt various methods — either top-down or bottom-up — to address issues (e.g., certification systems, blockchain technology, digital passports). 3. Corporations can form coalitions within their industry or across multiple sectors to concentrate on supply chain mapping, remediation efforts, and policy advocacy. 4. Firms might consider withdrawing from high-risk countries where they have limited influence over the sector due to geopolitical constraints. Impactt principal consultant Raquel Fisch said: 'This report brings much-needed attention to the parts of the leather supply chain where risks to workers are highest — and visibility is lowest. This research shows that workers on farms, in slaughterhouses, and in tanneries often face harsh conditions with little oversight or recourse. Yet these tiers are rarely covered by human rights due diligence. This report offers a valuable roadmap for companies to build traceability and accountability upstream, and to design systems that start with the realities of the workers most affected.' To disseminate the findings of this pivotal report further, FLA and Impactt will hold a public webinar on 28 May. In April this year, FLA urged the US to reverse global labour grant cuts as it said the move would damage efforts to combat child labour and forced labour worldwide. "Labour rights, transparency concerns in Brazil's leather supply chain" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Fox Sports
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers - Live Score - May 09, 2025
TOR FOLLOW Follow a team and personalize your FOX Sports experience FLA (1st 7:44) B. Carlo received a 2:00 penalty for cross checking. TOR 2 FLA 1 (1st 11:06) M. Tkachuk received a 2:00 penalty for misconduct. TOR 2 FLA 1 (1st 12:22) A. Barkov scored a goal, assisted by S. Reinhart and E. Rodrigues. TOR 2 FLA 1 (1st 14:03) J. Tavares scored a goal, assisted by M. Pacioretty and W. Nylander. TOR 2 FLA 0 (1st 19:37) M. Knies scored a goal, assisted by J. McCabe and M. Marner. TOR 1 FLA 0 Maple Leafs Media Availability | RD2 GM3 Pregame at Florida Panthers | May 9, 2025
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK consumer car finance registers 11% growth in March 2025: FLA
The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) has reported an 11% increase in consumer car finance new business volumes for March 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The association said that corresponding value of new business rose by 18% during the same period. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, new business volumes were 3% higher compared with Q1 2024. The consumer new car finance market reported a 25% increase in new business value in March 2025 while volumes grew by 21%. During Q1 2025, new business volumes in the consumer new car finance market were 16% higher than the same period last year, the report said. Meanwhile, the consumer used car finance market saw a 9% increase in the value of new business in March 2025 compared with March 2024, with volumes growing by 3%. However, in Q1 2025, new business volumes in the consumer used car finance market were 3% lower than in Q1 2024. FLA's research and chief economist director Geraldine Kilkelly said: 'March saw the consumer car finance market report its strongest rate of growth in more than three years supported by the issue of a new registration plate, consumers bringing forward new car purchases ahead of increases in vehicle excise duty from April 2025, and slightly more working days in March 2025 than in the same month in 2024 due to the timing of Easter. 'The outlook remains uncertain, with the latest indicators of consumer confidence showing a significant downturn in sentiment about economic conditions. Further cuts in interest rates should help to ease some of the pressure on real household disposable incomes. 'As always, customers who are worried about meeting payments should speak to their lender as soon as possible to find a solution.' In February 2025, consumer car finance new business volumes declined by 2% compared with February 2024, despite a 5% increase in the value of new business. The consumer new car finance market experienced a rise in February 2025, with new business value and volumes increasing by 19% and 17%, respectively, compared to February 2024. "UK consumer car finance registers 11% growth in March 2025: FLA" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
