The phenomenon of the rise of illegally imported used clothing has in fact made the Indonesian textile industry gasp. Now the burden is increasing with the attack on goods from China. In fact, 70% of the market for the textile and textile product (TPT) industry is the local market. This makes the performance of the Indonesian textile industry decline. The impact has been felt from the many closed factories to massive layoffs of workers. Deputy Head of Labor and HR Development at BPP Indonesian Textile Association (API) Nurdin Setiawan said, actually there is good hope from the local market in 2023, especially coupled with the Eid holiday so as to increase production. But disturbed by the onslaught of imported clothing products, both legal and illegal, especially used or thrifting clothes which are now being sold vulgarly everywhere.

"So it's like everyone is turning a blind eye, even though it's clear that the Permendag (Ministry of Trade Regulation) is prohibited, used goods that enter Indonesia. Now this is disturbing the condition of the local market," said Nurdin, Thursday (6/4 /2023).

According to him, the impact of the import of these clothes did not only affect the downstream sector, but also affected the upstream sector.

"Because he supplies local products or materials from the local as well, from the upstream sector. Now, when the downstream sector does not exist or is reduced, the supply from the upstream sector, in this case fabric or material, will also decrease. ," he explained.

"When the demand for material decreases, the order or demand for fiber also decreases. So, this is interdependence," he added.

Nurdin said, the effect of illegally imported products was not only seen from the downstream side, the local TPT industry was not able to compete in quality, but because they were unable to compete in price, because the prices offered by them were much cheaper.

"They are much cheaper, because they don't pay taxes. After all, we won't be able to compete, but in terms of quality, TPT can also be proud of in terms of quality," he said.

The rise of imported used clothes and the invasion of Chinese goods are clearly disrupting local products. It is not impossible that the Indonesian textile industry will die. Hope was voiced for the government to help them.

"Indeed, supervision and enforcement must be immediately carried out by related parties and agencies, synergies must be carried out to fight it. Not only curative but more preventive, if you really want to increase the trust in the index again," he explained.