Lesotho Sheds Textile Jobs Amidst U.S. Trade Uncertainty

Hippo Knitting has laid off 295 workers and plans to retrench another 420 in January

• Lesotho textile factory Hippo Knitting laid off 295 workers last month, plans to retrench another 420 workers in January, and may shut down altogether by July 2026.
• The company says this is due to cancelled US orders caused by uncertainty over the renewal of the AGOA trade agreement with the US.
• But the National Clothing, Textile and Allied Workers Union accuses the company of using AGOA uncertainty as a cover…