Newcastle: South Africa’s textile industry is facing a workforce crisis after thousands of migrant workers fled the country in the past few months, in the wake of violent xenophobic protests. The campaign led by anti-immigrant group March and March sought to free up jobs for South Africans, one-third of whom are unemployed. But factory owners in Newcastle say they have yet to fill vacancies left by foreign workers who fled.

According to France24.com, the sudden departure of migrant workers has left a significant gap in the labor force, impacting production and operational efficiency across the textile sector. Factory owners are struggling to find local workers to replace the skilled labor that was lost, as the industry grapples with the broader economic implications of the protests.

The March and March campaign, although intended to open up employment opportunities for South African citizens, has inadvertently created a challenging situation for business owners who are now dealing with labor shortages. The textile industry, a crucial part of Newcastle’s economy, is facing uncertainty as it attempts to recover from the workforce disruption caused by the mass exodus of migrant workers.