Sending letters to retailers and manufacturers lets them know that consumers are concerned and are acting on these concerns.
Dear _________________________,
I am concerned to learn of the ongoing exploitation of homebased outworkers in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.
The report of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, 'The Hidden Cost of Fashion', and a number of Senate and other hearings into outworking in the garment industry, have revealed some disturbing details of:
significantly below award pay for home-based outworkers;
widespread intimidation and abuse of home-based outworkers;
inappropriate involvement of children in home-based production.
I believe it is the responsibility of the clothing label owner and/or retailer to check that the products they have manufactured in Australia or elsewhere are made by people who receive a living wage and who work under fair conditions.
I am aware your company has not become accredited and adopted the No Sweat Shop Label as per the voluntary Homeworkers Code of Practice. I will offer my support to companies who are displaying this label and who commit to ethical sourcing and eliminating exploitative work practices in Australia.
Both retailers and manufacturers in the clothing industry have an important role to play in eliminating the widespread exploitation of outworkers.
Until you can assure me that your products are not made by exploited labour, I will not purchase any goods from your company.
I await for your public announcement or a personal reply offering this assurance.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Name
Address
