Textile and textile product (TPT) industry players need state protection in order to protect the domestic market from the onslaught of imported goods. This was triggered by the sluggish condition of China's economy as a big garment player. Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API) Jemmy Kartiwa said that the economic slowdown experienced by China in recent weeks was worrying for domestic garment manufacturers. This is because China has the potential to expand overseas markets.\ “China has a lot of goods in stock and is trying to sell to countries that are weak in terms of trade protection. One of the targets is Indonesia. Currently all countries are trying to protect their respective markets. Indonesia must do the same thing,” said Jemmy, Monday (14/8/2023).

So far, continued Jemmy, textile entrepreneurs in the country have not experienced strict rules governing the entry of imported goods. According to him, regulations from the ministry related to the application of stricter trade barriers are needed to protect the domestic market by changing the post border to the border.

"I think that if there is no action from the state, the condition of the national textile industry will get worse. The tightening of trade barriers is one of the government's instruments to save the textile industry next year," he said.

Jemmy said that the matter of layoffs (PHK) in the textile industry was still happening. In July-August this year, he said, a number of companies in Karawang and Tangerang were still laying off workers.

Last year, the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) recorded that the total number of garment factory workers who lost their jobs from January to early November 2022 reached 79,316 people from 111 companies.