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Fairwear - Action

Fairwear needs your help!
The Uniting Church, with other Christian denominations has been involved for more than 10 years in a campaign to end the exploitation of homeworkers. There are up to 300,000 homeworkers, sometimes called outworkers, in the garment industry in Australia. Most clothing made in Australia is made by homeworkers - women sewing from home for as little as $3 an hour, without holiday pay, sick pay, and superannuation or workers compensation. State and Commonwealth legislation provides some safeguards against exploitation, but the fashion houses of Victoria need to lift their game!

As Melbourne gears up for the biggest race of the year, big label companies who make the fashion on the field will face court for breaches to the Federal Clothing Award (breaching the Clothing Award means outworkers suffer real risk of exploitation - not receiving proper wages or conditions).

JOIN US: in exposing companies who disregard the rights of their workers and outworkers and to demand that companies treat their workers ethically.

WHAT: FairWear will stage an action highlighting the names the major labels who will be prosecuted. We will create a vibrant racing carnival with men and women dressed up to go to the races, paper horses, champagne and a cup outside the courthouse. In the middle of the scene, an outworker will sit on a machine sewing away.

WHERE: Outside Federal Court, Corner William and Latrobe Street, City.
WHEN: 9:30 am – 10am Thursday, 2nd November
WE NEED: YOU and your friends, to come dressed in your best (flowers and hats, suits and dresses) as if you were going to the races. (WE have fancy hats you can wear if you don’t have your own).

If you would like to come along, but you don’t want to dress up, please come in solidarity to hold our banner or a placard to complete the scene.

RSVP/CONTACT: Daisy Gardener on 0415 344 717 / 9251 5270 - let Daisy know if you can play one of the carnival - goers or just support by holding a banner.