We Have An Announcement
NSW Premier Bob Carr has announced that $4 million dollars over three years will be spent on helping to protect vulnerable outworkers in the clothing industry.
Details are still sketchy, but the plan is believed to include:
- A new Code for NSW which requires retailers to do more than the current Homeworkers Code, based on the Target and Country Road Agreements (Possibly to include regularly supplying lists of their suppliers and information about the price they pay per garment; must use the standards manual to determine price of contracts).
- Legislation covering retailers to be introduced in 12 months time for any retailers who have not signed the Code.
- Establishing an 'Ethical Trades Council', comprising union, community, retail and manufacturing representatives, which would report publicly on retailer and supplier compliance.
- New laws allowing outworkers to recover unpaid remuneration from fashion houses, manufacturers and other suppliers in the clothing production chain.
- Four bi-lingual inspectors for the Department of Industrial Relations (Continuing two current positions and creating two more).
- Some retraining programs for outworkers.
- Outworkers will be deemed to be employees in the NSW Industrial Relations Act, to ensure protection under the award.
At this stage, Fair Wear is congratulating the Carr government in taking the lead in efforts to stamp out the exploitation of outworkers. It is hoped that the proposed strategy will go far enough in addressing the pervading culture of exploitation that exists in the clothing industry.
Stay tuned for more exciting installments as the detail is fleshed out.
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