SACTWU Predicts The Future Of Temu and Shein in 2030

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has warned that nearly 35,000 South African jobs could be lost by 2030 if global online retailers such as Temu and Shein are not properly regulated.

The union raised the alarm during Cosatu’s national congress in Johannesburg, citing a 2025 study on the impact of cheap offshore imports.

SACTWU president Susan Khumalo said the rapid growth of the platforms is already causing job losses, pushing down wages and worsening working conditions in the clothing, textile and related sectors.

“If nothing is done, our cities and families will lose 34,000 jobs by 2030,” she told delegates.

Cosatu supported the call and urged members to delete the Temu and Shein apps while choosing local retailers instead.

By the end of 2024 the two platforms had already captured a large share of South Africa’s online clothing market, generating billions in sales and intensifying pressure on domestic manufacturers and workers.

The union is calling on government to step in and protect local jobs before the damage becomes irreversible.

Source: https://x.com/centralnewsza/status/2112502985955655815

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