Lesotho’s ever shrinking textile industry continues to bleed jobs, with the latest reports suggesting two clothing and textile factories in Maseru are reportedly set to send hundreds of their workers home for about four months as they struggle to remain in business.
Lesotho’s firms are performing poorly after failing to secure orders for their products from the United States of America, the country’s largest market for textile and apparel, since the beginning of the year.
Industry sources say although the companies were still producing, sales have been bad owing to lack of markets. In May this year we reported that a massive 10 000 workers had lost their jobs in the ailing clothing and textile industry since the beginning of this year, with more expected to be sent home packing in the near future.
The sector, which is the second largest employer after the government, continues to perform poorly largely owing to declining orders from the United States, the major importer of Lesotho’s apparel.
Devastating effects of the Covid-19 are also still being felt as desperate local firms close shop or lay off employees for months on end hoping that the industry will gradually pick up. Buts this is unlikely, experts say.
At the time of going to print, we had received reports that the already ailing industry was set to lose 700 more jobs before the end of this month.
We don’t know what the government will do with this information, but Mr Prime Minister are you listening? Basotho, read voters, are dying. What are your plans to save them?
