The Political Economy of Ukay Ukay

Abstract

The entry and sale of second-hand clothing articles has been a serious problem of the government given that such trade continues in spite of existing laws which make it illegal and the threat it brings to the local garment producers. Such trade continues to thrive because of the lack of employment in the country and the failure of the government to enforce its laws and policies. The problem is made worse by the tolerance of local governments of the trade thereby affecting the economy particularly the local garments and textile manufacturing firms and the ukay ukay vendors. As such, the government must be able to improve the way it is handling this problem in order provide protection for one of the country's important industries. This study intends to analyze the causes why the ukay ukay continues to grow even if such trade is considered illegal by the government and assess its effects to the economy, most specifically to the major key players involved: the local garment and textile firms, the ukay ukay vendors and the consumers.