According to the TCF Council President, the Textile, Clothing, and Footwear industry of Fiji has suffered a staggering decline in employment, plummeting from 20,000 workers to just 5,000.
The Textile, Clothing, and Footwear Council, or TCF Council, was created to promote Fijian manufacturing at home and worldwide. The Council exists to advance the interests of its members and the Fijian textile industry, offering help at every stage of the manufacturing process.
From initial concept to shipping, the TCF Council encourages and promotes Fiji’s world-class textile and clothing industry. Fiji has the largest and most diverse economy among South Pacific Island Nations.
A vital part of the Fijian manufacturing industry is its world-class textile industry, which encompasses clothing and footwear. For decades, Fiji has produced some of the world’s most iconic brand-name products for customers in Australia and New Zealand.
TCF President Inbamalar Wanarajan says this was discussed during their annual general meeting last month. She says the labor shortage attributed to an absence of training opportunities is a significant bottleneck in production.
“The TCF industry has collectively presented a written submission for TSLS and TVET for training purposes to ensure a continuous supply of skilled labor,” Wanarajan says this will allow them to sustain production capacities and pursue further growth opportunities in new markets and contribute to the Fijian economy in terms of creating more employment and foreign exchange revenue.
She adds that countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam continuously increase training institutes to get a steady supply of trained workers, which may be the primary reason for their success in the garment industry.
