Top 6 Garment Manufacturing Companies in Zimbabwe

Whether you are a buyer or a supplier, you are likely to come across garment manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe that offer competitive rates, good quality products, and a range of options for your needs. However, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best to partner with. This article provides a brief overview of some of the most important factors that are important to consider when choosing a garment manufacturer.

Conditions of work

Despite the growth of the garment industry, the conditions of work remain poor. Workers are often forced to work long hours, and they are not paid for overtime. They are also not allowed to unionize.

There are many risks to the health of clothing workers. They breathe in fiber dust, blasted sand, and toxic substances. They may not have access to water or receive regular medical check-ups.

The informal sector of the garment industry employs a large workforce. It is an important part of the economy in developing countries. They provide employment for many people who are unable to find jobs in traditional industries.

Some apparel retailers have adopted ethical practices. However, most do not. This can lead to workers missing out on overtime premiums and wages that do not comply with minimum wage laws.

Workers may be exposed to organic solvents during the finishing process. This can lead to illnesses like liver and neurological diseases. Some brands use “lean retailing” to reduce inventory.

Workers in the weaving and cotton processing sectors are at high risk for obstructive respiratory disease. This can include occupational asthma. It can develop in workers who have worked in dusty areas for more than 10 years.

Most garment workers are immigrant women from Asia and Latin America. They are not paid overtime or minimum wages. Some workers are self-employed. They may not be paid for holidays or vacations.

The conditions of work are also affected by economic crises. A study found that during the late 1990s financial crisis, job orders decreased dramatically. The industry then underwent a dramatic drop in piece-rate wages.

Workers in the home-based garment sector were directly affected by the global recession. Electricity shortages have severely restricted the livelihoods of these workers. Several organizations have formed to organize these workers.

Child labor

During field research in Zimbabwe in 2016, and again in 2017, Human Rights Watch found that child labor in garment manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe was not the only problem in the country’s commercial agriculture sector. Interviews with both children and adults in the tobacco industry revealed that a number of the labor rights violations on large-scale tobacco farms in Zimbabwe are also afflicting the small-scale farmers.

For example, most tobacco companies prohibit children under the age of 18 from handling green and dried tobacco. But in reality, many young workers perform hazardous activities in the name of earning a buck.

In addition, tobacco production has serious health impacts. Dried tobacco can lead to respiratory symptoms such as tightness of the chest and difficulty breathing. In addition, companies often do not provide adequate equipment and training, leaving children to work for hours in unsafe conditions.

However, some companies have taken the initiative to develop comprehensive child labor policies and systems to monitor compliance with the law. They also have the power to terminate contracts in cases of serious abuses. In 2016, the US Department of Labor conducted 866 labor inspections in Zimbabwe. But in a recent report, the US government said the country’s labor laws were lacking in essential components.

Moreover, the US Department of Labor reported that the number of workers who have ever had a government official visit their workplace to inspect its safety and health conditions is miniscule. Most employees said that only union organizers or health officials visited their housing compounds.

According to the World Bank, 10 percent of all work-related injuries are crushing accidents. The World Bank also noted that the most efficient and tame way to improve the number of workers injured in a given accident is to provide them with the best possible training.

Quality of products

Despite a poor showing in the IQ scoreboard, the country of the elephant ruled does boast one of the world’s most successful economies. A well-funded research and development budget has given life to the likes of Google, Microsoft and Samsung and the fruits of these labours are in evidence.

Despite the bleak economic outlook, the country is bucking the global yoof and is on track to become a major player in the export textile industry. The industry has been boosted by low wage policies and an influx of foreign direct investment. The country is also notable for the number of women in the workforce, a rarity in this part of the world.

The country’s population is estimated to be close to 50 million in 2017. With a GDP per capita of over $US1,500, the country is a prime target for any number of multinational companies in search of a golden opportunity. In a bid to entice more investment, the country has rolled out a series of trade and investment incentives. This has helped fuel the country’s economy to a new record high.

Cost of production

Despite its challenges, Zimbabwe’s textile and garment industries have gained confidence that they can improve their market share and increase their output. The industry has also been boosted by improvements in technology and management techniques. However, some firms have been unable to obtain competitive raw materials and their production costs have increased. This is due to high input costs and a lack of foreign exchange resources.

The clothing sub-sector in Zimbabwe is one of the most labour-intensive sub-sectors. It is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies produce work suits, school uniforms, and corporate clothing. Some firms export to South Africa and the US. They are also gaining ground in Europe.

The cost of production has increased over time due to wage increases, an increase in other inputs, and the devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar in 1991. Although some firms have been able to pass on these increased costs to their customers, others cannot do so. The current drought has exacerbated the situation.

The clothing sub-sector has been facing tremendous price pressure. The price of gray-cloth fabric has fallen from US$1.15 in 1987 to US$0.79 in 1992. A significant portion of the fabric delivered to the local market is unused at the low-budget end. The result is that a firm may take a loss in order to continue its business relationship.

Some large firms have maintained high levels of quality in their production processes. They have also used discounts and extensive promotions to boost their sales. However, some firms have been unable acquire the competitive raw materials necessary to meet the increasing demand. These firms have failed to take advantage of the low labour costs in the country.

Competitiveness

During the early years of independence, the Zimbabwean economy was experiencing serious structural weaknesses. As a result, the World Bank advocated an orthodox adjustment package. It argued that a higher growth rate could be achieved by altering incentive structures and removing interventionist policies. It was not until the economic structural adjustment programme (ESAP) was introduced that the Zimbabwean economy experienced the most significant economic reforms since 1980. This chapter traces the evolution of the economic regime and its effects on the manufacturing sector.

The textile sub-sector, comprising cotton ginning, spinning and weaving, is one of the leading sectors in the manufacturing industry. It is a strategic industry. It is estimated that this sub-sector represents 13 percent of the total employment in the manufacturing industry. The production capacity of the industry has risen to 24,000. It supplies intermediate materials for the clothing industry. Its productivity has also improved.

The metal sub-sector, comprising knitted products, rope and cordage, is another of the leading sectors in the manufacturing industry. This sub-sector draws upon raw materials from the mining and agricultural sectors. The industry is undergoing significant restructuring.

The industry has undergone a five-year ESAP programme. The first phase involved a capital investment program. This was expected to cost Z$65 million. The second phase involved installation of extra jet dyeing capacity at the Martifield knitting plant and a bleaching line at the Kadoma factory. However, the company faced difficulties in modernizing its plants. In addition, high interest rates made it difficult for the firm to keep up with its capital investment.

A number of firms were retrenched as a result of the ESAP. The larger firms retrenched a substantial proportion of their workforce. The smaller firms were able to continue with their operations.