South Africa’s clothing manufacturers are grappling with labour shortages after thousands of migrant workers fled the country following weeks of anti-immigrant protests.
Factory owners in Newcastle, a major textile manufacturing hub in KwaZulu-Natal, said they lost between 12% and 19% of their workforce after the protests. Many of the departing workers possessed specialised sewing skills that employers say are difficult to replace, leaving rows of sewing machines idle and slowing production.
The protests were driven by anti-immigrant group March and March, which argued that removing foreign workers would create more employment opportunities for South Africans. However, manufacturers said they have struggled to recruit local workers, many of whom are unwilling to accept the low wages and demanding conditions associated with factory jobs.
Industry estimates suggest that about 15% of Newcastle’s 15,000 textile workers left during the unrest. Factory owners warned that replacing experienced machinists will take time and significant investment in training, particularly for specialised tasks such as zip installation and garment finishing.
Meanwhile, Labour unions have disputed claims that South Africa lacks skilled workers, arguing instead that poor wages and working conditions are the main reasons locals are avoiding factory jobs. They said many qualified machinists remain unemployed but are unwilling to accept positions that often pay below the national minimum wage once commuting costs are taken into account.
The labour shortages have added to mounting pressures on South Africa’s clothing industry. Earlier this year, government inspections uncovered illegal labour practices at several factories, prompting some retailers to reduce orders and increasing financial strain on manufacturers. Factory owners said the combined impact of declining orders and workforce losses could force more businesses to shut down.
Most garment factories in Newcastle are owned by Chinese investors and produce clothing for South African retailers. Many operate on thin profit margins and say they cannot raise wages because retailers continue to pay low prices for finished garments.
Industry leaders warned that further factory closures could worsen unemployment rather than improve it, undermining one of South Africa’s key manufacturing sectors. They called for greater government support to train local workers, improve productivity and stabilise the labour market as businesses seek to recover from the disruption caused by the migrant exodus.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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