Government tries to save textile industry

SA''s block of import quotas expires in December

Government is to pump billions of rands into the local clothing and textile industry in a bid to secure thousands of local jobs. The Customised Sector Programme wants to keep the industry globally competitive by giving local manufacturers and retailers incentives to skilled workers, recapitalise factory floors, venture into new markets while retailers will be encouraged to procure only South African made goods.

The move comes ahead of the expiry of import quotas in December, aimed mainly at cheap imports from China. With only six months to go before the expiry of the temporary reprieve of import quotas against cheaper Chinese made clothing. Labour, Government and Business have been racing against time to find innovative ways to keep thousands of clothing and textile workers in their jobs.

SACTWU's General Secretary is Ebrahim Patel says: "The industry must reinvent itself it needs to embrace both productivity but also the rights of the ordinary workers at factory level." Already boasting some successes the programme will also see the creation of geographic industry clusters where role players will exchange ideas on how best to keep the sector viable, while sharing industry best practices

Although the formalisation of the CSP policy has been delayed by retailers who are concerned the programme will hinder their ability to trade overseas - government insists it's going ahead. Tshediso Matoma, the director general of the department of Trade and Industry, says: "We have a critical mass to move ahead, we will move ahead. Those that choose to remain behind, that is their choice and will have to face the consequences of their choice."