The African National Congress (ANC) on Monday urged retailers to reconsider court action against the restriction of textile imports from China.
”The ANC urges these retailers to reconsider their court action, and to instead work together with government and manufacturers to address their concerns in the interest of all South Africans,” said ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama.
The party expressed concern after weekend reports indicated that major retailers planned to take the government to court over the implementation of limits on Chinese textile imports.
”The ANC reiterates its support for the steps taken by government as an interim measure to protect jobs and provide an opportunity for the local clothing and textile industry to place itself on a sustainable footing,” said Ngonyama.
He said alliance partners agreed that safety measures on imports were required to ensure that local industries could be given the ”opportunity to restructure” and to shift to a ”more sustainable growth path”.
”The ANC is convinced that, working together, government, producers and retailers will be able to develop this vital sector of our economy, ensuring that it contributes to employment creation and economic growth in a sustainable manner into the future.” — Sapa