Businesses in Durban's clothing and textile sector are sounding the alarm over the potential collapse of their industry due to demands for illegal foreign nationals to leave the country. They argue that 80% of machinists are foreign nationals, some of whom could be illegally in the country.
Durban businesses in the clothing and textile sector are pushing back against the demand for illegal foreign nationals to leave the country, warning that this will have a destructive impact on their operations.
The minibus taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal is also bearing the brunt of reduced passenger numbers since the beginning of calls for illegal foreigners to return to their countries.
The eThekwini Clothing and Leather Council has admitted to employing foreign nationals and conceded that some could be illegally in the country.
However, it stated that it is the government that has failed to address the issue of illegal immigration. Additionally, while it employs immigrants, they argue that locals are not interested in jobs such as machinists.
