The apparel industry in Philippines fears huge job losses under the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill.
The garment exporters, across the country, said that the industry could witness a 40 per cent cut in its workforce if investment incentives are rationalised under TRABAHO bill. The number of people losing jobs could be alarmingly high according to survey results.
This was recently announced by Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo, Executive Director, Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (ConWEP).
She further said that the group accounts for almost 70 per cent of apparel exports of Philippines and employs 1,50,000 people, thereby putting 60,000 jobs at stake.
Manufacturers of kidswear, undergarments as well as accessories are the ones who may face an immediate closure of their units.
Jocson-Agoncillo said that the survey results have been sent to Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Ramon M. Lopez, Trade Secretary, said that DTI is pushing economic zone locators to avail incentives for a longer duration so as to lessen the impact of the bill on jobs.
Jocson-Agoncillo also said that though the apparel sector in the country may hang around for sometime, it may become very difficult to sustain it in the long run. She added that the US $ 1 billion apparel export has been consistent for last decade.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
