In 12 months' time they will employ none.

Yesterday's announcement by Pacific Brands brings an end to a long manufacturing association between Bonds, KingGee and the region.

The Illawarra's manufacturing sector has been a vital source of employment for many women, especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

In 1990 Bonds had factories in Unanderra, Warilla and two in Port Kembla employing about 1400 people, while KingGee employed 600 workers.

In 1997 Pacific Brands invested $2.5 million in its Bellambi factory, which opened in 1967 to compete with imports from Fiji and China.

Cunningham MP Sharon Bird said many of the employees affected were women in their 40s and 50s who loved their jobs and were loyal to the company.

The recession of the early 1990s took out many of the jobs and included the controversial sacking of 75 migrant women at Midford Paramount clothing. After being told the company would not pay their entitlements, 20 workers locked themselves in the factory.

The economic downturn and cuts at BHP meant many women had become the main income providers for some families.

In 1994, NSW membership of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia was 11,000, but numbers started to dwindle as import tariffs began to fall in the 1990s.

"We were nearly 3500 before the phone call," TCFUA state secretary Barry Tubner said yesterday. "Now we are under 3000 for the first time.

"It is an enormous kick in the guts and we are angry because a lot of these companies were viable"

Mr Tubner agreed Pacific Brands management had in the past showed loyalty to employees, but he believed those people were not behind yesterday's decision.