Indonesian garment workers’ jobs in peril

Hundreds of thousands of garment workers in Indonesia may lose their jobs this year, Redma Gita Wirawasta, chairman of the Indonesian Filament Yarn and Fiber Producers Association, has warned, citing competition from cheap Chinese-made clothing. He said: “We are getting information that some companies are starting to close their factories,” and noted that “If the government doesn’t do anything to halt Chinese products into Indonesia, I think another 500,000 people will lose their jobs this year.” The local industry lost some 80,000 jobs in 2024 alone. Redma highlighted Indonesia’s inability to effectively restrict illegal products from entering the country.