Textile workers to hit street over industry collapse

Textile industry workers in the country have scheduled to hit the streets on July 6, 2016 to draw government’s attention to the collapse of the textile industry in the country.

According to the workers, they have been left with no other option but to take to the streets over government’s lack of interest in salvaging the industry which employs a huge number of people from total collapse.

A joint letter dated June 20, 2016 and signed by union chairmen of the three textile manufacturers in the country (ATL, Printex and GTP) to the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander informing him of the intended demonstration enumerated challenges that have led to the collapse of the textile industry in the country.

“Our textile industry is on the verge of total collapse due to the intensified illegal trade in pirated/smuggled textile fabrics from China and Far East countries. If nothing is done immediately to rescue the remaining textile companies, we are all at risk of losing our jobs”.

According to the workers, about 80% of the workforce in the industry has been sent home and the remaining are on their way home.

“The textile companies have no order and as at now some have sent about 80% of their workforce home and their future cannot be guaranteed.”

ATL, for example, which used to have a workforce of more than 3,000 some few years ago, now has a permanent workforce of 750.

Information gathered by Weekend Finder indicates that there has been shortage of materials at the factory for the past two weeks and this, according to a source close to the company, has been the norm for the past two years.

Local Union Chairman of the company, Mr Asumadu Ebenezer, the total workforce left at the factory is 250, comprising of only the printing section and administration.

The weaving and spinning department of the company, totalling about 230 workers, are currently home.

Mr Richard Neequaye, Chairman, Printex Local Union, told Weekend Finder that the company has reduced its workforce from 750 a year ago to 324.

He said if the company does not receive any new orders by next week, more workers would be laid off.

According to the textile workers, the Anti-Textile Piracy Taskforce of the Ministry of Trade, is overwhelmed by the escalating “criminal activities of the textile trader.”

“In view of this development, the only option left to the workers is to demonstrate in Accra to draw attention of the general public to the irreparable harm these traders are causing the industry,” the workers noted.