MASERU — About 320 jobs are at risk at Raytex Garments textile firm because the company is facing serious viability problems.
The company which is a subsidiary of Raytex Limited which is based in China has been struggling since last year.
The company which is based in the Maseru West industrial area has already laid off 580 workers since its troubles intensified last year.
Workers downed tools at 12 noon until 6pm on Tuesday demanding an explanation from management why the knitting firm was planning to retrench them.
The workers sang protest songs and refused to get out of the company premises.
Sources at the firm told the Lesotho Times that there was a likelihood that the managing director, Raymond Shi, a Taiwanese citizen, would soon close shop and go back to his country.
The workers fear that he might disappear without paying them.
The sources said Raytex was struggling to get orders from the United States.
“We are afraid that Raymond is planning to dump the firm because he is tired of its failure to attract business from America,” said one worker who identified herself only as Nts’eli.
The job cuts have been going on since 2004. The company currently employs about 320 workers according to the manager Hang Shi.
Hang denied allegations that the company was planning to shut down and leave the workers stranded.
