Lesotho faces job loss in textiles sector

03 Jun '15

2 min read

Lesotho is at risk of losing 35,000 jobs in the textile industry if the US drops the nation from its preferential trade accord because of worsening political tension in the country, according to an agency report quoting a labor union group.

Lesotho must avoid a similar fate as another African country Swaziland, which was dropped from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Ts’eliso Ramochela, secretary general of the Alliance of Progressive Trade Unions said. The US has voiced concerns about the political situation in Lesotho, he said.

Lesotho is a beneficiary of AGOA, which allows African nations to export a range of goods to the US duty free. US lawmakers are deciding whether to extend the trade agreement when it expires in September.

The country has been in turmoil since an attempted coup in August against former Prime Minister Tom Thabane, who was subsequently defeated in elections in February. Security concerns have worsened since then with reports of assassination attempts against opposition lawmakers.

Eligibility for AGOA include respect for the rule of law, efforts to combat corruption and protection of human rights. Swaziland was removed as a beneficiary of AGOA in June last year because of a lack of protection for workers rights. (SH)

Fibre2fashion News Desk – India