TRADE unions remain uncertain about the future of Lesotho’s garment industry given that over 15 000 of the country’s 50 000 garment factory workers have lost their jobs since March 2020.

With an estimated population of 2.1 million people and few formal employers, the National Union of Clothing and Textile Allied Workers Union (NACTWU) said the job losses were catastrophic in one of the world’s least developed countries.

NACTWU deputy general secretary Tšepang Makakole said for example, Global Garment, which had hired over 11 000 workers, has recently closed business at its branches in Masowe and two in Ha Thetsane, Maseru leaving over 7 000 workers jobless.

He said the factory’s management explained that they faced collapsing demand due to order cancellations by their US clients.

In a fresh twist of events, however, he said this week trade unions learnt there was new hiring at the factory.

“This time the management said they were boosting staff to one of their two remaining branches in Ha Thetsane,” Mr Makakole said.

He said it left local unions doubtful, adding they were unsure whether or not the factories were shutting down genuinely.

“We smell a rat here,” he said.

“Some of these textile factories have closed and their foreign owners fled the country, leaving workers jobless and unpaid.”

He said it happened at Lesotho Umbrella and Peter Blond factories formerly based in Maputsoe, Leribe.

“In a proper administration, and as the law stipulates, the government should see to it that there are security funds reserved by the factories to cover for unpredicted job losses but this is not happening,” Mr Makakole said.

He said last week, 400 workers were retrenched in some factories in Maseru with 500 more expected to lose their jobs this week.

“In the long run, it is unclear whether the industry will find ways to retain workers or will continue its race to the cheapest possible production,” he said.