JAKARTA - As many as 60 textile factories in Indonesia are pressured by illegal imported products, which has resulted in the number of layoffs (PHK) soaring to 250 thousand people in the last 2 years.

This was conveyed by Immanuel Ebenzer Gerungan, Deputy Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia. The figure, said Immanuel, was based on a report from the Association of Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers (APSyFI).

“I ask, is the APSyFI data correct? If it is, then the relevant agencies should take concrete steps,” said Immanuel, in a written statement last weekend.

Immanuel added that illegal imports do not only pressure the Textile and Textile Products (TPT) industry. But also the petrochemical industry which supplies the main raw materials for textiles.

For this reason, Immanuel hopes that there will be concrete actions and synergies between institutions in counteracting illegal imports and maintaining the national labor ratio. Especially the Smuggling Prevention and Eradication Desk formed by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.

“It is not only the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) that is the stakeholder of the national workforce, but all government agencies. Unfortunately, often the Ministry of Manpower is only a downstream, dishwasher,” said Immanuel. (KR/LM)