Textile entrepreneurs screamed out of competition with imports of used clothing. Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairperson Diana Dewi revealed that currently textile entrepreneurs are screaming because they are unable to compete with imported used clothes which are widely sold in the market. He is also concerned that consumers prefer imported used clothes over new clothes made in the country. As a result, not a few textile entrepreneurs left their main business. "All textile entrepreneurs have screamed. They have now switched a lot to replace their main business products. That's very worrying, isn't it," said Diana when met by MNC Portal at The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (31/5/2023) .

Diana further explained, actually used imported clothes can be removed from the market. However, what is happening now, these goods are still there and have become a public need for cheap and trendy goods. In addition, education to the public is still lacking, such as the impact on skin health.

"Why is there a product, because there is a need. This is what we may need to socialize downstream as well, don't just talk about it being cheap but we are afraid of having other impacts. For example we also consider hygiene. This is what we have to socialize to our friends. Because of this help friends who are textiles," he explained,

In addition, Diana added, one of the efforts that can be made by textile entrepreneurs to be able to compete with imported second-hand products that are loved by young people is to renew trending clothing models. At least, that can be an option for consumers before buying impo used clothes

"Because apart from the low price, imported clothes have a passion, they are still being updated to this day. What do you think, good models aren't everywhere," concluded Diana.

Previously, the Association of Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers (Apsyfi) revealed that the textile industry was on the verge of disaster. Companies oriented to the domestic market are currently the most under threat.

APSyFI Chairperson Redma Wirawasta said, in the third and fourth quarters of 2022, the company's export market was disrupted. Many countries have closed their doors to exports due to declining economic conditions. However, in the first quarter of 2023, the replacement of companies targeting the domestic market will be threatened.

"In the third and fourth quarters of last year we still said the condition of the fiber and yarn textile industry was a yellow light because indeed its growth had slowed down, but now I can say that it is an orange light, which means it is almost a red light," said Redma, Wednesday (24/5 /2023).

The impact, he continued, was unstoppable layoffs. Middle-class textile companies that are unable to maintain their cash flow inevitably close their factories, as a result the entrepreneurs have to terminate their employment relationship with their employees.