Algeria Prohibits Secondhand Clothing Imports To Save Local Industries

The Algeria parliament has passed the financial law of 2012 to prohibit the import of second-hand clothing, aiming to protect its textile and garment manufacturing industry, guard against the risks of old clothing and protect public health.

The latest measures may affect about 25000 of Algeria's second hand clothing.

The president of the clothing Importers Association said that the new law will also affect thousands of civilians who can not afford new clothes but choose to buy second-hand clothing because the price of second-hand clothing is reasonable.

Meanwhile, the old clothes Retailers Association refute old clothes.

On the other hand, the National Federation of textile and leather workers defended the government's measures. They said the first step should be to promote the development of the national textile industry and provide a flourishing opportunity for the textile industry.

There are 146 second-hand clothing importers and 3000 wholesalers in Algeria. In addition, tens of thousands of people are engaged in direct and indirect clothing business.

These people plan to hold national demonstrations in the next few days.

In Algeria, second-hand clothing sales are booming, so traders are shocked and dissatisfied with the government's decision.

They say sales are booming because secondhand clothing not only attracts poor people, but also attracts middle class consumers. They find some favorite clothes in secondhand clothes. Otherwise, it is difficult for them to get their favorite clothes in shops selling new clothes.

Karim Djoudi, Minister of finance, said that the domestic textile industry needed to spend 60 billion Algeria DAL. Now it needs to create additional value and expand imports.