Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association, Jemmy Kartiwa Sastraatmadja, said the textile and textile product (TPT) industry has experienced ups and downs since the Covid-19 pandemic last year. After previously successfully bouncing back in the fourth quarter of 2020, the enactment of micro-community activity restrictions (PPKM) earlier this year hit the textile industry again.

"In the midst of improving performance, PPKM has been implemented followed by PPKM micro since the beginning of 2021. In the first quarter of 2021, there is a slowdown again because it may be due to PPKM or PPKM micro," said Jemmy.

This slowdown is due to limited economic activity by limiting the opening hours of shops or retailers, so that consumer access is limited. In addition, natural disasters have occurred in various regions which have also become obstacles to economic activity.

The vaccination program is also expected to be able to help the growth of the textile industry. "I am sure that after vaccination continues, recovery will occur for the textile industry," he continued.

Even though the pandemic had slowed the growth of the textile industry, Jemmy said, the trade balance from last year to December 2020 was still a surplus. Jemmy revealed that the textile industry experienced a growth slowdown in the first and second quarters of 2020 due to the cessation of domestic and foreign trade activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Utilization has dropped considerably. "The textile economy has stalled because wholesale centers in Jakarta, for example, Tanah Abang Market or other areas, are closed from March to June," he said.

Then, in the third and fourth quarters, they managed to bounce back, as evidenced by increased utilization, increased employment, and increased PMI for the manufacturing industry. Many workers who were previously dismissed in the first and second quarters returned to work.

Jemmy also hopes that the government can provide an easing of the micro PPKM so that it can provide more space for the acceleration of national economic recovery. The national textile industry employs approximately 3.9 million workers. "The national textile sector employs 3.9 million people, ranging from fiber to yarn, weaving and knitting, garment and other textile parts. Textiles absorb quite a lot of labor, "he said.