Clothing sector remains subdued

Business Correspondent
THE National Union of the Clothing Industry (NUCI) has called on the Government to address the challenges facing the clothing industry in Bulawayo as the sector remains subdued. In an interview, NUCI deputy secretary- general Ms Kezilina Ndlovu said the challenges affecting the clothing industry remained unaddressed.
She said a number of clothing companies that closed shop in recent years included Suntosha Leisure Wear, Luncaster, Harren Manufacturing, Ascot, Belmor Fashions, Cinderalla, Rusglen Fashions, True Value and Label Fashion.

“At the moment there is no hope that those companies would be re-opened soon,” said Ms Ndlovu.
“One of the few remaining, Archer Clothing is operating far below capacity. They have a few contract workers that they hire periodically.
“The company used to employ around 2 500 workers and at one time it was left with around 20 or 30 workers,” she said.

Ms Ndlovu added that over the years it was traditional that during the last quarter of the year, companies in the clothing industry would employ more workers but this has not happening of late.

“During this time of the year we should have more people getting employed in the sector as companies prepare to stock for the festive season but nothing is happening,” said Ms Ndlovu.

She bemoaned the fact that local retail shops were importing their stock at the expense of the local industry.
“The biggest challenge most big  clothing retail companies are not getting their orders locally but from South Africa or China.
“This actually kills the local clothing industry. We would want a situation where the Government intervenes by limiting imported clothing products,” she said.

She said most of the imported goods were of poor quality.
Zimbabwe’s clothing industry has been affected by the smuggling of cheap imports.
At least 27 000 jobs have been lost in the clothing and textile industry in the last decade due to economic challenges besetting the sector.
The number of people employed by the sector plummeted to 8 000 from a peak of 35 000 due to a host of challenges including the influx of cheap imports and working capital constraints.