Weeks after xenophobic protests drove thousands of migrant workers from South Africa, rows of sewing machines stood idle at a clothing factory in Newcastle, a manufacturing hub in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. The campaign led by anti-immigrant group March and March sought to free up jobs for South Africans, a third of whom are unemployed. But local manufacturers have struggled to fill vacancies left by foreign workers.

Employers say many of the departing workers had valuable sewing skills that are hard to replace quickly, while locals are often unwilling to take the low-paying jobs.

Donos alertam que perda de pedidos do varejo e problemas de mão de obra podem provocar fechamento de fábricas