The impact of the phenomenon of thrifting or the import of legal and illegal textile products that has occurred so far is only now being felt. Textile production is evenly claimed to be quiet in production. The momentum of Eid, which should be harvesting turnover, this year does not seem to apply to the textile industry. Why not, in the midst of the onslaught of thrifting or imported second-hand clothing coming into the country, it is certain to be a blow. Several textile factories in Indonesia have started throwing the towel. You can find textile factories for sale in e-commerce.
"I think it's not just thrifting. But imports of clothes from abroad, including both legal and illegal ones, have invaded us a lot. So this is what makes some textile industries dead fleas. So it's quite hard to defend yourself," Apindo Solo Secretary Sri Saptono Basuki told Jawa Pos Radar Solo.
Plus, Ukraine's war with Russia is never ending. Plus several textile export destination countries that maintain their dollar exchange rate. This further adds to the complexity of the problem. So it would not be wrong if President Jokowi then gave instructions to eradicate thrifting.
"I think it's the right step. Because the textile industry is more labor intensive. If it is not maintained, then the consequences will be even more severe. In Bung Karno's time, we had the name Patal Senayan. Patal stands for spinning factory, which is in Senayan. But now it's just a term. Patal Senayan factory is gone. We have to take care of this," he explained.
Basuki said Indonesia had great potential to enter the textile world globally. But it needs sharpening and wise management. In order not to be overtaken by Vietnam and Bangladesh, countries that have a special focus on the textile sector as their main product.
Then what about Apindo Solo's proposal to the government regarding this condition?
“Because each company and type of business is different, we ask for relaxation, so that everything can continue and be sustainable. Don't be stiff. This is for the common good," he continued.
In Bengawan City and its surroundings, continued Basuki, MSMEs are dominated. Is his condition more worrisome? Basuki said, both are complex. Because MSMEs also need a market and financial back up to sustain. Meanwhile, the government's efforts are very limited.
“MSMEs only have a few employees and production is not constant, different industries. This results in different competitiveness and economy. Several qualified and curated MSMEs are usually more sustainable than those that are not. They are more observant in seeing the market and opportunities,” he said.
