The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world's local media. just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.

Textile and apparel industry workers in Swaziland are calling for a 15% increase in their basic wages to SZL2,000 a month. The textile workers, represented by the Swaziland Manufacturing and Allied Workers Union (SMAWU) in the negotiations, expect the negotiations to be completed by Monday. Currently workers earn a maximum of SZL550 per fortnight, which totals SZL1,100 a month. They are seeking at least SZL1,500 per month with a maximum of SZL2,000 per fortnight. SWAZI OBSERVER.

The textile industry in Hubei, China is seeing continued rapid growth, despite cost increases and volatile cotton prices. Hubei's textile industry saw a 22.8% increase in value, while the clothing industry reported an increase of 33.9% with textile and chemical fibres recording 18.8% and 27.9% growth respectively. The output of cloth and yarn rose by 52% and 26.1% respectively. THE CHINA DAILY.

Ethiopia earned almost US$44m from the export of textile and textile products in the last two quarters, according to the Ethiopian Industry Development Institute. The group said that revenue was almost $23m higher than the same period of the previous year. Leading exporters over the past six months included, Aika Addis Textile and Investment Group, Almeda Textile, Kombolcha Textile Share Company, Elsie Addis Textile Factory, NovaStar Garment plc and Ma Textile and Garment Factory. 2 MERCATO.

The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association is forecasting a difficult year as global economic woes continue in the EU and the US. The European debt crisis is expected to hinder demand in the second-largest market for Vietnamese garments and textiles. The Sai Gon Garment Manufacturing Trading Joint-Stock Company, for instance, plans to reduce its export ratio to the EU from 70 per cent to 40 per cent, while boosting shipments to the US and Japan. The Gia Dinh Textile and Garment Corporation, has mapped out a series of measures for production and export this year. Under the plan, apart from relationships with traditional buyers, the corporation's members will be more active in seeking new customers in new markets and raising the ratio of FOB (free-on-board) production to add more value. VIETNAM NEWS.

Chinese manufacturer of baby care products Goodbaby Group has announced an online retail partnership with Nike as part of efforts to improve brand recognition. Under the agreement Goodbaby will have the exclusive rights to sell Nike children's wear through its website. It also has partnerships with Mothercare UK, as well as Quinny and Maxi-Cosi. CHINA DAILY.