Economist: Imports Of Used Clothing Are Prohibited, Quality Of Domestic Products Must Be Improved

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Economic observer from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Eddy Junarsin said the policy to prohibit imports of used clothing must be balanced with improving the quality of domestic clothing products.

"Local product quality must also be better so that it is not easily damaged after being worn compared to imported used clothes, design also improves and mass production is also on time," he said in Sleman, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, March 28.

Although imports of used clothes were originally to meet the needs of cheap clothing that can be accessed by small communities, according to him, over time MSME textile products have grown and can meet local demand with improved quantity and quality.

"I think at that point the policy of importing used clothes has begun to be reduced or disappeared, but I don't think it will necessarily solve the problem because there are still many loopholes in importing used clothes that are illegal to enter Indonesia," he said.

The government, according to him, needs to calculate the need for clothing to meet the needs of the lower middle class who can be met by local clothing products.

The solution for traders affected by this policy, according to him, needs to be diverted to market local products by becoming resellers or dropshippers.

Regarding the results of a research report that states that wearing used imported clothing risks causing a health impact for consumers because of the content of fungal, viral and bacterial infections, according to Eddy, this is not very effective in attracting the attention of small people turning away from imported clothing.

He explained that the clothes used for imports for them are known to be cheaper and affordable with good quality.

"Our society is more sensitive to prices. But campaigning that buying local products is actually safer for bacteria, fungi and viruses, I think it is also good to echo. The current government's work is how to curb illegal imports and on the other hand, MSME products are increasingly developing quality and their prices can compete," he said.

The government prohibits imports of used clothing by issuing Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 40 of 2022 concerning Amendments to Regulation of the Minister of Trade No. 18/2021 concerning Prohibited Exports and Goods Prohibited from Imports.

The prohibition of importing used clothing is in order to protect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).