Action Ideas

Individual

• Be on the FairWear newsletter mailing list or keep checking their website for updates on ways to support the campaign.

• Always try to find out the most up to date information and the do's and don'ts of lobbying and actions. Contact your nearest FairWear Campaign office.

• Remember the Homeworkers Code of Practice (the Code) only applies to Australian Made clothing, so support Australian Made.

• Workers are not only exploited in Australia - look at the website list for international campaigns. Think Globally Act Locally.

• When you buy clothes in a shop which has signed the Code let the sales person know why you are shopping there. Say it in a big voice you never know who might be listening!

• Get on the internet and spread the FairWear message.

• Make and wear badges: I wear FairWear, Ask me about FairWear, Support FairWear, Australian Made Australian Paid.

• Write to parliamentarians about the issues (letters, petitions etc)

• Write regularly to the companies who haven't signed the Code - continue to tell them why you support companies who have signed the Code. (Please make sure you contact FairWear for sample letters and guidelines - there are a couple of important points to be aware of so that FairWear doesn't get into legal trouble.)

• Approach the FairWear Campaign or organisations like Asian Women at Work who work with outworkers volunteer to help out, eg mail-outs, baby sitting.

Family

• Regularly distribute up to date wallet cards (available from Fairwear) listing the companies who have signed the Code, to your family and friends.

• Encourage your family (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles etc) to buy FairWear when they are buying new clothing,

• Encourage your family to give gift vouchers from shops who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice.

School

• Recommend that your Student Representative Council endorse the FairWear Campaign and organise or support some of the ideas below:

• Find out which companies make your own school uniform and ask them to sign the Homeworkers Code of Practice. It is relevant for all companies in the clothing industry in Australia to sign the Code, even if outworkers don't make their garments at the moment. It shows their commitment to eliminating exploitation of outworkers (and also reduces unfair competition for companies who pay workers the award wage). If your school uniform is being changed, make the new contract conditional on signing the Code. The Code is available from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union.

• Make some posters publicising retailers and manufacturers who have signed the Code, ie big versions of the wallet cards. Display them at school.

• Use the case studies in the Home Truths education kit to design some leaflets about outworkers and their experiences. (Remember to acknowledge your source of information). Ask the school to print copies for you to give out to other students or at your local shops or ask for permission to include information in the school newsletter.

• Organise a FairWear Fashion Parade.

• Dress up a mannequin in FairWear and display it in a prominent place at school.

• Set up a FairWear information stall at your school, local community or church event.

• Request a FairWear action kit to share with friends - it contains heaps more ideas.

Community

• Put the Case study leaflets you made at school into the local library and community information centres.

• Go to your local shopping centre with some friends and give out the wallet-sized FairWear list to shoppers and passersby Remember to be non-confrontational and stay together in a group.

• Write to the Editor of your local paper about outworkers and what people can do to support fair wages and conditions for them. Name some local stores who have signed the Code.

• Stage a mime or drama in your shopping centre or a community festival; promote FairWear dramatically.

• With a group of friends, visit stores who have signed the Code and congratulate them for being committed to fair wages for workers. Give them a thank you card or letter explaining why it's important to you. Be aware, their staff may not know about the Homeworkers Code of Practice - you can explain it to them.

• Invite the local paper to write a story about the issue and to photograph you thanking the store manager.