Workers March in Maseru to Save Textile Industry
Hundreds of garment-factory workers marched through Maseru, demanding government action to save Lesotho's textile industry.
The march was prompted by uncertainty over the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade agreement with the US that allows duty-free exports of Lesotho-made garments.
“Where is AGOA?” and “Renew AGOA and stop job losses,”
read banners waved by mostly women workers, joined by trade-union leaders, youth, and consumer groups.
- AGOA allows duty-free exports of Lesotho-made garments to the American market.
- Without AGOA, tens of thousands of jobs would disappear, leaving families and communities in hunger.
Author's summary: Workers protest to save jobs in Lesotho's textile industry. The protest originally banned, was allowed to proceed after the police minister gave the go-ahead.