Cape Town – There are fears for jobs in the textile industry ahead of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s 2016 Budget Speech.
South African Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) Western Cape Provincial Secretary Sheila van Rensburg says the sector lost jobs in 2015.
"Our biggest concern is what is happening ... to the currency," said Van Rensburg ahead of the anticipated budget speech.
Labour analyst Terry Bell questioned whether the cost of South African labour was more not more competitive in light of the depreciating local currency.
"Shouldn't we be now cheaper than for example China and Taiwan? And therefore there is a glut in the market and we should be able to undercut them," he said.
"We're still very dependable on the local market," said Van Rensburg. She, representing SACTWU, wants more support from the local retailers and for government to further invest in the textile sector.
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