Lesotho: Workers March in Maseru As AGOA Uncertainty Threatens Thousands of Jobs
Hundreds of garment-factory workers marched through Maseru, demanding urgent government action to save Lesotho's collapsing textile industry.
The march was originally banned but proceeded after the police minister gave it the go-ahead. Workers are concerned about the uncertainty of the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows duty-free exports of Lesotho-made garments to the American market.
"Where is AGOA?" and "Renew AGOA and stop job losses,"
read banners waved through the capital as mostly women workers, joined by trade-union leaders, youth and consumer groups, marched from Sethaleng-sa-Mopapa to Sefikeng-sa-Moshoeshoe in Maseru. Without AGOA, tens of thousands of jobs would disappear, leaving families and entire communities that depend on the industry in hunger.
Author's summary: Workers protest in Lesotho over AGOA uncertainty.