Mass protests planned by Lesotho unions over US tariffs

Lesotho’s ‘Big Six’ trade unions have announced a mass protest at the end of the month to defend jobs in the textile and clothing industry. Thousands of jobs are threatened by punitive tariffs imposed by the US and uncertainty over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) which gives eligible African countries duty-free access to US markets on some goods. GroundUp reports that the unions say there is no evidence that Agoa will be renewed despite assurances by Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile. The protest, set for 31 October, was announced by a coalition of trade unions at a press conference in Maseru. The unions said they would petition the Governments of Lesotho and the US to renew Agoa and reduce reciprocal tariffs to 10%. The coalition, known collectively as the Big Six, consists of the United Textile Employees, Textile and Allied Workers Union, Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho, Lesotho Workers Association, National Clothing, and the Construction, Mining, Quarrying and Allied Workers. Members of smaller unions will also take part.