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ILO, DTIC and CIPC to study illegal imports, make recommendations to stop them

Published: 13th May 2024

Author: Tony Dickson - S&V Editor

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has partnered with the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC) and the Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to research illicit and illegal trade in counterfeit footwear and leather goods with a view to reducing them and bring relief to the sector in South Africa, Nii Moi Thompson, chief technical advisor of the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems Project South Africa said in Durban last week during the ARSUTORIA Leather & Footwear workshop, which the ILO sponsored.

“The aim of the study is to help strengthen the local leather, footwear and leather goods value chain,” he said. “We got involved following a request from the DTIC as part of our collaboration in the project.

“The findings from the study will inform further interventions by the government, in collaboration with the ILO, to create a level playing field for South African manufacturers while plugging tax loopholes from illicit trade.”

He said the study is being spearheaded by Dr Jaywant Irkhede, director, leather & footwear, at the DTIC.

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