Textile Union Targets Temu And Shein In South Africa

The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union has launched a campaign encouraging consumers to delete the retail apps.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Fashion

Textile Union Targets Temu And Shein In South Africa

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The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union has initiated a Delete the App campaign urging locals to remove Temu and Shein. The union has also formally requested that the National Consumer Commission investigate the operations of both international retailers.

Why it matters

The union argues that these platforms cause job losses within the local textile and cotton sectors, harming the national economy. This move aims to mitigate the economic impact of these international retailers on local industry employment.

The union alleges that Temu and Shein fail to comply with the Consumer Protection Act, POPIA, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act. These claims are currently pending review by national authorities.

The players

South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union

This is a trade union representing workers within the garment and textile manufacturing sectors in South Africa.

National Consumer Commission

This is the South African regulatory body responsible for protecting consumers and overseeing fair business practices.

The details

The union is targeting youth demographics to encourage the removal of these apps from their mobile devices. They contend that the business models of these international platforms are directly responsible for the decline of local manufacturing jobs.

The Delete the App campaign was officially launched during the week of 13 October 2026.

Culture Shift

South Africa is following a growing global trend of pushback against low-cost international digital retailers. Similar to restrictions seen in nations like Vietnam, France, and Turkey, domestic groups are increasingly prioritising local industry protections over international convenience.

Consumers may face fewer options for low-cost international apparel if the campaign leads to stricter regulation of these platforms. Supporters of the union initiative are encouraged to delete the apps to prioritise local, rather than imported, textile goods.

The takeaway

The campaign highlights the ongoing struggle between global digital marketplaces and local manufacturers. Consumers should be aware that their shopping habits on these platforms may directly influence the survival of domestic jobs in the textile and cotton industries.