Send a Postcard

The Homeworkers Code of Practice, developed in 1996, is supported by an accreditation and labelling system, which was completed in mid 2000. A company's initial signing of the Code was a goodwill gesture, rather than a guarantee of fair wages.

The monitoring system developed consists of:

• An accreditation system for fashion houses, manufacturers and retailers who arrange the production of clothing;

• A "No Sweat Shop" label (see below) that accredited companies are allowed to use, and which outworkers will sew into clothing they make for fair rates;

• A computerised Garment Sewing Time Manual which translates the award hourly rate into fair piece rates for each garment outworkers sew, and which accredited companies must use if they wish to display the No Sweat Shop label.

Despite being provided with extensive information and seminars, most retailers are refusing to participate in the No Sweat Shop labelling process. Retailers' participation in and promotion of these processes are, of course, essential for the Code to successfully stop the exploitation of outworkers. They lead the industry and manufacturers below are far more likely to seek accreditation if the retailers above them have indicated their support for the process.

At this stage, although there were some 140 companies who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice, only 4 companies are accredited. They are: Australian Defence Apparel, Resort Report, Qualitops and Poppets (makers of Beare & Ley school uniforms). These companies are to be congratulated for their leadership.

What can you do?

Fair Wear's present focus is on demonstrating to the retailers that there is a high level of consumer demand for the No Sweat Shop label. We are encouraging consumers to send postcards to retailers to let them know that they want to see the label in stores.

As a result of consumer pressure, via postcards and letters, Coles Myer recently agreed to write letters to their manufacturers encouraging them to adopt the label. We are now targeting the other major retailers who have as yet refused to endorse the label.

On occasion, companies will send a defensive response denying any involvement in outworker exploitation. Please let us know if you receive a response to your postcard or letter. This will help us to co-ordinate an informed response to such denials.

If you would like to send a postcard to a retailer, please contact the Fair Wear office by e-mailing fairwear@awatw.org.au or phoning (02) 9380 9091.