Vietnam’s leather and footwear manufacturers are concerned by the recent downturn in footwear exports and believe staff shortages are one of the driving factors behind the decline.

“The nation is losing its competitive edge to footwear rivals, including China, India, Indonesia and Thailand, because Vietnamese producers have to import 70% of their materials amid rising labour costs,” said Diep Thanh Kiet, deputy chairman of the Vietnam leather and footwear association (Lefaso).

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