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S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.24, June 19, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website

 

SA, Lesotho, Swaziland unions to 'fight for equal pay across borders'

Cape Town (SA) – A Swiss-based group called IndustriAll Global Union is behind a move to force textile, clothing and footwear manufacturers in Lesotho and Swaziland to pay the same wages and offer the same rights as manufacturers in South Africa.
       After a meeting of its local affiliates - the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland, the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho and the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) - in Cape Town on June 12, it issued a statement that it would "fight for equal-pay-for-equal work across the national borders".
       It said SA chains Edcon, Foschini, Mr Price, Truworths and Woolworths "came under scrutiny" for buying from factories that had relocated from SA to Lesotho and Swaziland where wages are lower.
       "The factories also ignored bargaining rights, and freedom of association. Enforcement of labour laws was also weak in the two countries. When workers demanded better conditions, the employers threatened to close shop. But in South Africa, Sactwu organised the factories, watched errant factory owners and took action when workers’ rights were threatened."
       Lesotho and Swaziland, with few natural resources and high unemployment, both promote themselves to manufacturers as low labour cost countries.
       Abisha Tembo, chief director, IDD Textiles, Clothing, Leather & Footwear at the South African DTI, said he had been unaware of the meeting "as we were not invited". - [www.industriall-union.org/southern-african-garment-unions-to-collaborate-on-supply-chains]

 

Appointment

Pretoria (SA) – SHALC chairman Ernest Heunis has been appointed GM of the newly constituted Footwear & Leather Industry Cluster (FLIC). He was acting GM during its formation.

 

 

ARSUTORIA courses continue

Matthew Hansen (Angelsoft), Mark Gibbings, (Apeco), Nerisha Jairaj (SAFLEC), Georgia Roehe Turri and Orietta Pelizzari (both ARSUTORIA) at the trend session for manufacturers and component suppliers on Monday morning, attended by about 40 people.

There was also an afternoon session for retailers and importers. Similar sessions will be held in Cape Town and Johannesburg (see below). The courses are being sponsored by SAFLIA, SAFLEC and SHALC, and run by ARSUTORIA.

June 21: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Hotel School Waterfront
10h 00 - 13h00 (manufacturers and component suppliers)
14h00-17h00 (retailers, importers, buyers and wholesalers.)

June 23: Johannesburg, UNISA Johannesburg Campus, Florida
10h 00 - 13h00 (manufacturers and component suppliers)
14h00-17h00 (retailers, importers, buyers and wholesalers.)

Interested parties should please send your details through to Ernest Heunis at SHALC (ernest@leatherite.co.za), Ina Venter at SAFLIA (Ina@saflia.co.za), or Prenisha Dukhirpersad at SAFLEC (info2@saflec.co.za).

 

 

Changes

Durban (SA) – Havaianas distributor The Brazilian Sandal Co is opening its 3rd Durban store - its 9th overall - at The Pavilion in late July or early August. It follows the closure last month of the Havaianas store in Brooklyn, Pretoria. It will open another store in Fourways, Johannesburg, early next year. - [+27 (0)21 511 1182, sales@thebsc.co.za]

Johannesburg (SA) – Former public relations person Debbie Fontes has bought women's fashion boutique Elements, in Comaro Crossing Centre, Oakdene, from Carla Silva. - [+27 (0)11 435 4486, debbiebfontes@gmail.com, www.elementsboutiquesa.com]

 

They Said It

"The mid-month retail blues used to last from about the 15th to the 24th. Now they start on the 8th." - Agent Ian Gordon.

"Durban independent retailers are just surviving at the moment." - Agent Colin Davies.

 

Diary

July 13: SAFLEC AGM, Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga. +27 (0)31 266 1472, Info2@saflec.co.za.
August 2: SAFLIA AGM, venue to be confirmed, Cape Town. 0800SAFLIA, info@saflia.co.za.
August 18-22: Podiatry Association of SA 11th Biennial Congress, The Maslow, Sandton. info@pasacongress.co.za.

 

 

Birthdays this week

19/06/1979: Sumen Naicker, Fusion Footwear, Springs.
19/06/1969: Monica Frank, Labora Shoes, Durban.
20/06/????: Patricia Khumalo, the DTI, Pretoria.
22/06/1952: Tony Bradshaw, left the industry, formerly Jack & Jill [closed], Port Elizabeth.
22/06/1964: Collin Govender, Owen’s Press Knives, Durban.
21/06/1969: Du Toit Kruger, KKI, Oudtshoorn.
22/06/1964: Collin Govender, Owen’s Press Knives, Durban.
24/06/1968: Meshi Sunker, Soviet Group, Johannesburg.
24/06/1978: Ashveer Kallichurum, Shoe Component Supplies, KwaDukuza.
25/06/1976: Scott Croney, agent, East London.
25/06/1983: Sylvia Steyn, Fashion House Rules, Johannesburg.
26/06/1935: Jurgen Wedekind, retired, formerly Bellstedt, Durban.
26/06/1945: John ‘Zorb’ Caryer, retired, formerly Camdeboo Meat Processing, Graaff Reinet.

 

In Memoriam this week

21/06/1992: Jonathan Greenblatt, Richleigh Shoes [closed], Johannesburg.
22/06/2010: Boris Levin (b. 03/07/1935), footwear agent, Johannesburg.
23/06/2016: Benjamin ‘Buzz’ Burke (b. 22/08/1949), Dolphin Components, Shoe Buzz, Cape Town.
23/06/2016: Billy Moodley (b. 31/08/1956), BM Components, Durban.
24/06/1995: Anand Singh, Angel Footwear Manufacturers, Durban.
25/06/2002: Gerald Haug (b. 28/01/1924), Bondseal [closed], Pinetown.

Do you have any names you’d like to add to our list of birthdays and In Memoriam? Please send the details.

 

ABSA Agri Trends 09/06: Hides & skins prices

Mohair production in 2017 may decline by between 5-10%, due to aftermath of the drought. South Africa is the world largest producer of mohair, and accounted for 53% of the total global production in 2016. Total production traded sideways in 2016 compared to 2015. The South African rand has strengthened recently, which proves to be a challenge for prices as this industry is mainly export driven. South Africa is technically in a recession phase and we need a reduction in interest rates to foster growth. However we expect that the Reserve Bank will hold interest rates unchanged in order to protect the Rand. The increased political uncertainty and possible credit downgrades is a risk for the value of the Rand. Should the rand weaken further, it will benefit the export income of the mohair industry.
       The average bovine hide price over the past week was R14.58/kg green. Hide prices are determined by the average of RMAA and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R41.82/skin and Merino was R96.35/skin.

Hide & skin price progression
Date Hides/Kg Dorper/Skin Merino Skin
19/01 15.34 45.56 81.38
24/01 15.17 40.92 89.52
31/01 15.10 46.00 94.55
14/02 14.65 47.33 95.29
15/03 14.25 39.30 78.75
24/03 14.13 45.27 94.45
28/03 14.07 45.27 94.45
04/04 14.83 41.92 87.58
11/04 14.68 41.92 84.12
19/04 14.77 43.85 92.32
25/04 14.75 41.25 92.27
04/05 14.79 43.33 92.69
10/05 14.75 40.50 88.41
16/05 14.58 40.83 90.96
31/05 14.62 40.50 87.95

 

Trade Fair dates

For a list of local and international trade fairs covering footwear, leather goods, leather and PPE, visit our website: http://www.svmag.co.za/events.php

  


Classified Adverts

 

Making department personnel wanted

Fred Footwear is a pioneering footwear manufacturing and retail company situated in the scenic city of Port Elizabeth. Fred Footwear is seeking to employ candidates with general making department skills (which includes toe lasting, side lasting, upper roughing & stuck-on construction skills) in its operations. Suitable candidates should have at least 10 years relevant experience and must be willing to relocate to Port Elizabeth. Candidates can email their CV to Rolland@fredfootwear.co.za; kindly refer to website www.fredfootwear.co.za for further company information.

 




  

Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: June 26, 2017.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

Should you wish to subscribe email tony@svmag.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za

 

 

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