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Textile industry facing "rough weather" (south Africa) |
2004-7-15
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Even as the clothing industry has so far shed about 30,000 jobs since 2001, wage negotiations today have reached a crucial stage. Strong Rand, illegal imports of finished garments and unfair trade have all compounded the problemleading to decrease in export of locally manufactured clothing by 28%.
Shakur Olla, one of the country''s leading designers exports 20% of his line mainly to Nigeria, Holland and Germany. It is for people like him that and many others in the rag trade, that times are tough.
"You''ve had a huge amount of imported clothes coming in due to illegal activity. We have had job losses and I think that most people have moved off shore because it is more viable with the rand at this stage," Olla informed.
So, those holding on to their jobs are keenly awaiting the outcome of the conciliation meeting being held at Durban. |
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