Cosatu Backs Motion to Ban Shein and Temu

The trade union federation seeks to block the e-commerce platforms to protect local textile jobs.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Fashion

Flat gouache-painted illustration of stacked fabric bolts and raw textile materials, evoking the local manufacturing sector in South Africa. — The Congress of South African Trade Unions is pushing for a ban on retailers Shein and Temu to protect domestic clothing industry jobs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the government ban international online shopping platforms to protect local retail jobs?

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has endorsed a motion calling for a government ban on online retailers Shein and Temu. Union leaders argue these platforms undercut local businesses through tax loopholes and aggressive marketing.

Why it matters

Cosatu claims these platforms are responsible for wage pressure and significant job losses in the domestic clothing sector. The union has urged its members to delete both shopping apps in protest.

A 2025 study warns that 34,000 local jobs are at risk by 2030, while confidence among semi-durable goods retailers fell to 38% in the second quarter of 2024. In 2025, Shein recorded 11% growth as Temu saw average monthly declines of 42%.

The players

Congress of South African Trade Unions

Cosatu is a major trade union federation that represents a significant portion of the country's organised labour force.

Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union

This union advocates for workers in the manufacturing and textile sectors and highlighted the impact of e-commerce on local employment.

South African Revenue Service

SARS is the national tax authority responsible for enforcing customs and excise duties on imported goods.

The details

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union presented evidence at the conference highlighting how high shipment volumes from these retailers circumvent traditional retail models. This follows a 2025 policy change where the South African Revenue Service removed tax exemptions for imported goods priced below R500.

Shein entered the South African market in 2020.
Temu entered the South African market in 2024.
The South African Revenue Service removed tax exemptions on goods under R500 in 2025.
Cosatu backed the motion to ban the platforms on 15 October 2026.
The projected deadline for the loss of 34,000 local jobs is 2030.

Culture Shift

This move represents a departure from the open-market adoption of international digital retail platforms toward a protectionist stance for domestic manufacturing. It mirrors a growing global effort by unions to regulate how foreign e-commerce giants impact local economies.

If the government adopts the proposed ban, shoppers may lose access to the Shein and Temu platforms entirely. Consumers who rely on these retailers for lower-priced apparel will need to seek alternatives within the local retail market.

The takeaway

The move highlights the ongoing friction between the convenience of global e-commerce and the stability of local manufacturing jobs. Consumers should monitor for potential regulatory changes that could alter the availability of international budget retail apps.