S Africa's minister meets clothing sector representatives

07 May '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

South Africa’s trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel recently met representatives of the clothing textile, footwear and leather sector as 1.5 million workers in the country resumed work this week. The virtual meeting was organised to review the readiness of shops and factories for the new Level 4 lockdown that started on May 1.
The meeting agreed to develop a common framework on implementation of COVID-ready workplaces that can serve as a guide for the industry, said the department of trade, industry and competition ( DTIC).

The recent move from the hard lockdown to Level 4 has seen greater parts of the retail and manufacturing value chain open up. Beginning May 1, clothing and footwear retailers started opening for customers.
Level 4 of the lockdown also allows companies to begin manufacturing with at least 30 per cent normal employment for all clothing, textile, footwear and leather goods; up to 50 per cent for winter goods; and up to 100 per cent for children’s and baby clothes, and personal protective equipment.

Chief executive officers of retail firms offered their feedback on the reopening of stores and measures they have taken to manage the return to work in the meeting. Proposals were heard on the phasing in of shift workers, social distancing for employees and customers and other necessary health protocols, to avoid a sudden increase in the spread of COVID-19, according to a report in South African newspaper.

Meanwhile, the Apparel and Textile Association of SA’s (ATASA) chairperson Herman Pillay said the industry should look into supporting more of government’s response efforts in workplaces.
The industry now has more than 350 manufacturers who have said they are ready to produce cloth face masks.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)