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In general, sugar markets are among the fastest developing markets in the world (Huang & Xiong, 2020). The significant global market liberalization resulted in the fast growth of supply and stocks (Zuckerindustrie, 2018). At the same time, continuous changes in consumption patterns are affecting the global demand for sugar and sugar products (Muhammad et al., 2019). On the other hand, global sugar market is still influenced by the existing protectionists measures (see Solomon, 2014). It is of note that protectionist policies are applied in sugar markets by both developed and developing countries (Haley, 2016). Eventually, global sugar market appears to be suffering because of high-applied tariffs, limited tariff quotas and production subsidies (da Costa et al., 2015). As a result, this is reflected in price transmission and significant sugar price differences existing among individual regions in the world. Another specific feature of global sugar market is its notable price fluctuation which is a result of speculative trade activities.

The minimum wage institute was established at the turn of the 19th and 20th century in the Anglo-Saxon countries. Its purpose was to ensure the protection of the workforce. The minimum wage ensures that the labour market wage cannot fall below the determined level, which takes the form in accordance with the economic and political conditions of the country concerned (Dube et al., 2010). The determined level of the minimum wage results either from the tripartite act, which is made up of representatives of government, employers and trade unions or is enacted in relation to a percentage of the average wage level. Lopresti and Mumford (2016) mention that setting a minimum wage is a very complex problem, as its value is related to the price of labour that affects employers’ competitiveness. The minimum wage affects not only the part of the employer but also the employee, as employees want to receive fair remuneration for their work that will ensure them the required standard of living.

Human asset training and development increases the productivity and skills of workers (Saif et al., 2019). Globally, governments spend billions of dollars to promote the workforce, to enhance their country’s economy and innovation. Working women are the pillars of society and play a vital role in its development. The female workforce is the key to innovation, growth, and prosperity in modern societies. Globally, economists focus on the practical and theoretical side of how working women perform an active role within the workforce and how they positively contribute to growth and Innovation (Luci, 2009). Women first started participating in the workforce during the late 19th and early 20th century. Worldwide, owing to higher per capita economic growth, the demand for female participation in the labour force has been increasing and motivating the working women to participate in development and innovation activities.

The constriction of global resources and the sustained growth of population bring resources pressure to society. At the same time, the problem of environmental pollution and ecological imbalance cannot be ignored. In 2008, the United Nations Environment Programme launched the “Green Economy” initiative to integrate the concept of green and sustainable development into economic development. In this context, resource conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development are the best choices in this era. The construction industry is the pillar industry of Chinese economy. It is important for the construction industry to implement sustainable development. Faced with the pressure of resources and higher environmental requirements, green supply chain is an important means to enhance the environmental friendliness of construction industry and realize the rapid development of enterprises (Beamon, 1999; Ansari & Kant, 2017).

The World Health Organisation (WHO, 1946) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Good health is not only of value to the individual as a major determinant of quality of life, well-being and social participation, but it also contributes to general social and economic growth. Good health is a key aspect of people’s well-being and enhances opportunities to participate in the labour market and to benefit from economic and employment growth. People with poor physical or mental health are less likely to work and more likely to be unemployed than people in better health. The relationship also works the other way around: people with higher level of education and higher income tend to be in better health and live longer than those with lower level of education and income (OECD, 2015).