Mrs. Neti, An Imported Used Clothing Seller In Blok M Asks For Time To Spend Trade Stock

Mrs. Neti, a seller of imported clothing in the Blok M area of South Jakarta/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - The Central Government has banned the sale of used imported clothes or thrifting, because it is considered to have killed the MSME business and caused harm to the domestic textile industry. The government's policy drew various responses from used clothing traders at Block M Square, South Jakarta.

Neti, one of the sales of used clothing at Block M Square, considers the steps taken by the Government to be quite excessive. However, he admitted that he was resigned to the policy.

He also admitted that he had received a circular from the owner of the place to change his business on the ban on the Central Government.

"It's too much. But never mind. I'm confused too. If we change the merchandise, we need more capital, things like this," said Neti when met at Block M Square, South Jakarta, Monday, March 20.

On his occasion, Neti revealed that selling used but quality clothes actually benefits both sellers and buyers. Moreover, public finances are currently quite difficult.

"The economy is quiet again, people want cheap ones with good quality," he said.

Neti said he would follow the government's direction not to resell imported clothing. However, he asked for time to finish his clothes until they sold out.

"Our hope is that in the future, we will finish (over) the existing goods. At least we will think about this Eid again. We are confused about the solution," he concluded.

President Jokowi said imports of used clothes greatly disrupted the development of the domestic industry.

"I have ordered to find the truth and many people have met every two days. It interferes with the domestic textile industry," said President Joko Widodo after attending the inauguration of the opening of the 2023 Domestic Product "Business Matching" in Jakarta Wednesday, March 15.

Used clothes are goods that are prohibited from being imported based on the Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 18 of 2021 as amended by the Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 40 of 2022 concerning Amendments to the Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 18 of 2021 concerning Prohibited Exports and Goods Prohibited from Imports.

"It is very disturbing, the import of used clothes is disturbing, very disturbing to our domestic industry," said Jokowi.

The government says used clothing is prohibited from being imported because it has a bad impact on the domestic economy, especially MSMEs, and is also bad for the health of its users.

To prevent imports of goods, including used clothes, President Jokowi also asked for adjustments to the performance allowance indicators for ministries/agencies and BUMN/BUMD.