The decline in demand for local products can cause the production to plummet and reduce the workforce (engaged) in it
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The dominance of illegally imported thrift clothes in the market can hurt Indonesia's cultural identity and impede efforts to build a unique brand identity for Indonesian fashion products, according to the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC).

"In the long run, this can harm the fashion and textile industry, especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as it can make it difficult for Indonesian designers to build a unique brand identity," the national chair of the IFC, Ali Charisma, explained here on Tuesday.

Massive imports of used clothing can negatively impact the sales of locally produced clothes because they won’t be able to compete in terms of pricing, he added.

"The decline in demand for local products can cause the production to plummet and reduce the workforce (engaged) in it,” he added.

For instance, due to massive imports of used clothes, Kenya, which used to have 500 thousand textile industry workers decades ago, now has fewer than 20 thousand, he pointed out.

Moreover, illegal imports of used clothing can have a negative impact on the environment as they usually come from developed countries dominated by the fast fashion industry, he said.

The rapid change in fashion trends causes clothes to be thrown away after being worn a few times. This fashion waste is then illegally imported to developing countries, including Indonesia, Charisma said.

"It not only worsens the consumption cycle of fashion products but also adds to the waste problem in the country," he added.

Charisma said he represents the IFC in rejecting the business practice of selling illegally imported thrift clothes.

"Considering the various adverse impacts, it can be understood that the Indonesian government has issued a regulation that prohibits the illegal imports of used clothing," he said.

According to him, support for the ban on the illegal imports of used clothing can protect local fashion designers and producers, reduce fashion waste in the environment, and help preserve Indonesia's cultural identity.

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Translator: Lia S, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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