# South African clothing factories struggle after migrant workers flee

https://mins.news/en/item/15280

- Reuters, 2026-08-06 14:40 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/south-african-clothing-factories-struggle-after-migrant-workers-flee-2026-08-06/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=6a749cd269018900011c3023

> South African clothing factories are struggling weeks after xenophobic protests drove thousands of migrant workers out of the country. At a factory in Newcastle, a manufacturing hub in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, rows of sewing machines were standing unused. The worker exodus has left production facilities facing disruption and highlights the economic strain caused by the protests.

## Related coverage

- [South Africa’s textile industry in crisis after migrant workers flee](https://mins.news/en/item/16020) — France 24, 2026-08-07
- [South African clothing factories struggle as migrant workers flee](https://mins.news/en/video/15464) — Reuters, 2026-08-06