This is according to COSATU Free State’s Provincial Secretary, Monyatso oa Mahalatsi, who was commenting on the planned protest by the Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) at the China Shopping Complex in Bloemfontein today.  

The protest forms part of Sactwu’s nationwide protest against international retailers Zara and H&M. Mahalatsi says they have noted companies that bring finished goods into the country, reduce opportunities to create jobs in the local retail industry.

Mahlatsi is calling on all the stores and managers of those stores to make sure that there is a percentage of locally produced goods sold in stores across the Free State and the country.

Mahlatsi states that the China Shopping Complex in Bloemfontein does not support locally produced goods and is a part of the problem.

 “A 100% of the goods sold there there are not produced in South Africa, but are sold on South African soil, bought by South Africans.”

He emphasises that South African consumers don’t seem to want to support locally produced goods and so it is important to discourage consumers from supporting imported goods.

OFM News