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Clothing factory owners warn of collapse as immigrant workers leave

Factories in KwaZulu-Natal are closing as xenophobia reaches fever pitch

The clothing manufacturing industry in KwaZulu-Natal relies heavily on immigrant workers. Illustration: Bronwyn Webb

Clothing factories in Newcastle are closing as immigrant workers flee to avoid xenophobic violence, according to the chairperson of the eThekwini Clothing and Leather Association, Iqbal Ismail.

Newcastle is the hub of the Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) business in KwaZulu-Natal.

Almost all CMTs are owned by citizens of Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, who have permanent residence in South Africa and rely on immigrant workers.

Retailers had already pulled business from the factories after raids in February exposed “sweatshop” conditions in some places.

“Our sector will one hundred percent collapse if migrants suddenly disappear from our factories,” says Iqbal Ismail, a third-generation clothes…

Read More: Clothing factory owners warn of collapse as immigrant workers leave.

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