Will Woolies rescue sinking swimwear?

The SA Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) has requested an urgent meeting with Woolworths to discuss the pending closure of one of the retailer's suppliers, the union says.

Intimate Apparel, a Cape Town-based underwear and swimwear manufacturer, might be forced to close down, Sactwu said in a statement.

"Should the closure of this factory proceed, it will have disastrous consequences, especially taking into account the current depressed economic circumstances and the recent wave of job losses - both nationally and in the clothing manufacturing sector in particular."

The closure of the business would see more than 800 people, the vast majority of whom were women, losing their jobs.

"Taking into account that each worker has at least five dependants, it would see the income on which more than 4000 people depend, coming to a halt."

Sactwu said it had submitted its request for a meeting with Woolworths on Wednesday and was awaiting a reply.

"We believe that retailers in general and Woolworths in particular can play a major role in preventing the pending job losses."

Woolworth's spokeswoman Cherrie Lowe could not be reached immediately for comment.