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Taking action on sweatshops works

“We will do anything that you want – just stop them singing!”

Last year alternative press organisations Indymedia and MorePraxis reported on a successful Uniting Church/FairWear Christmas action where activists from the Uniting Church, Good Shepherd, Urban Seed, Union Solidarity and Swinburne branch of the NTEU (and many others) got together to highlight the exploitation of homeworkers in the fashion industry.

In our own backyard, conservatively about 40 per cent of people employed in the Australian textile, clothing and footwear industry are homeworkers working in substandard conditions, sewing in their homes and garages. Many inquiries and studies have illustrated the exploitation of homeworkers in Australia. In 2005, Senators from across the political spectrum were moved by the accounts of homeworkers at the inquiry on WorkChoices, such as the following, “the outworkers I know generally get $4 an hour and even $3 an hour … we are supposed to be employees now, but we are not treated that way”.

After a quick rehearsal in central Bourke St., the ‘choir’ made its way into the up-market shopping mall that has replaced the old Post Office in Melbourne’s landmark GPO building, lining up in front of the fashion display for a rendering of modified versions of well-known carols - Jingle Bells (Sweatshop workers all deserve/their Christmas bonus pay - HEY!) and God Rest Ye Weary Labourers (O tidings of justice and rights/ human rights, O tidings of justice and rights!). The performance was then repeated on the steps outside, much to the fascination of the crowds waiting to view the Myer windows. After the performance, members of the ‘choir’ handed out useful wallet-sized cards listing companies certified to use the No Sweat Shop label on their Australian Made clothing.

One apocryphal story goes that the fashion label concerned, Rich, rang the activists before the final carol exclaiming, “we will do anything that you want – just stop them singing!”

Rich were among 11 companies that were taken to the Federal Court by the TCFUA for alleged breaches of outworker provisions in the Federal Clothing Award late last year. In late March this year, the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union informed that Rich Clothing have settled with the TCFUA and will be signing the Homeworkers Code of Practice (which entitles them to use the No Sweat Shop label) as part of the settlement. We understand that Rich produces all their clothing on-shore. The Code can only vouch for clothing production undertaken in Australia.

Rich is already known by fashionistas for its range of high quality clothing for men and women. This news means that Melbournites with a taste for high fashion will be able to shop at Rich with the knowledge that the conditions of the homeworkers who make their clothes will be monitored. It also proves that people from diverse backgrounds can come together to effect positive social change.

When you see the No Sweat Shop label on a garment, it means the garment was manufactured in Australia and all of the people involved in its production received, as a minimum, the Award wage rates and conditions.

Many homeworkers are paid as little as $3 per hour and do not receive entitlements that most Australian workers take for granted like paid holidays and superannuation contributions.

No Sweat Shop label
FairWear
Rich
Recent article on sweatshops in Online Opinion

FairWear is always interested in new additions to their Action Group, call 9251 5270 for more information.