Fair Wear NSW Newsletter
Christmas Edition, 1999

Seasons greetings, Ho Ho Ho and all that. This festive edition of the newsletter is the first in some months, a development for which I take full responsibility (or, I suppose, credit if you're into saving trees). For those of you who may not be aware, Lisa has given birth to a baby boy, James Thomas. This has resulted in the need for a new Fair Wear warrior, which is where I fit in. My name is Julia Murray, and I'll be your NSW campaign worker for the next little while. I am a Sagittarian with green eyes who enjoys long hearings in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Enough about me, let's talk about the campaign.

JULY ACTIONS - 'RATHER NO CLOTHES THAN CLOTHES MADE BY EXPLOITATION'

The two actions which took place on July 1st were extremely successful, with Jeans West signing the Homeworkers Code of Practice as a result of the Sydney action, and Millers' Fashion Club succumbing to pressure as a result of the Newcastle action. This result is all the more impressive given that both companies have a history of resistance towards the Fair Wear campaign. Good media coverage was gained from both events. A major 'thank you' must go to the CFMEU lads who took their gear off in the Sydney CBD, turning the heads of many a passer-by.

SENATE INQUIRY INTO THE WORKPLACE RELATIONS ACT

The Federal Government launched a Senate Inquiry into the effects of the Workplace Relations Act 1996, as well as the potential impact of the proposed Workplace Relations Act Amendment Bill. The terms of reference for the inquiry placed specific emphasis on disadvantaged groups, a category into which outworkers certainly fall. The Fair Wear submission was finalised and sent off with about 15 letters of endorsement from supporting organisations. The Fair Wear coalition expressed great concern about the proposed amendments. The position taken was that as probably the most disadvantaged group in the Australian workforce, outworkers would be further undermined by the proposed changes. Indeed, the changes would drag other Australian workers down to the low level where outworkers currently find themselves. Our submission, therefore, argued for the rejection of the entire Bill. We were subsequently invited to give evidence to the inquiry hearings in Sydney on 26 October. Chris (Baptist churches), Pamela (Fair Wear Victoria) and Ms Li (Outworker) spoke on behalf of Fair Wear at the hearing. These speakers articulated our concerns very effectively. The report on the inquiry has just been released, and highlights a number of the concerns as raised by Fair Wear and other groups critical of the legislation's potential impact. Anyone wanting a copy of the Fair Wear submission can contact the office.

Ultimately, the fate of the Bill lies with the Democrats, who hold the balance of power in the Senate. It will depend on their negotiations with Peter Reith as to the content of the Bill which is passed. At this stage they have rejected the legislation as a whole, expressing concerns about numerous components of it, leaving Reith with little alternative but to consider breaking it into parts and reintroducing it next year.

NSW DIR OUTWORKER STRATEGY

The NSW State Government made a commitment during the lead-up to the March 1999 election to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the working conditions and social well-being of outworkers following its re-election. The issues paper surrounding the strategy is due out any day now. Following its release there will be an opportunity for feedback on the proposed strategy. If you would like a copy of the issues paper, you can either leave your details on the NSW DIR website (http://www.dir.nsw.gov.au), or contact the Fair Wear office.

In the meantime, the DIR have commenced funding Fair Wear for a Fair School Wear campaign (details below).

FAIR SCHOOL WEAR

The NSW Department of Industrial Relations has announced that it will fund the 'Fair School Wear' campaign as part of its Outworker Strategy. The campaign will ask schools to request that their uniform supplier sign the Code of Practice, and not use exploitative labour to make their uniforms. An action pack will be distributed to schools containing a Fair Wear brochure, a background briefing on the school campaign, a commitment to action statement to sign and a response form for supplier details. We will establish a database of school uniform suppliers and promote those who have signed the code. Distribution is envisaged to be through P&C and Teachers Federation (and equivalent) networks. The campaign will be officially launched on February 22nd. If your school would like to be involved, contact the Fair Wear office.

FAIR WORK WEAR

Is a campaign which will ask union delegate networks to get involved in lobbying their employers to buy their work uniforms from suppliers who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice. We will also be asking the companies buying the uniforms to sign the code. Early interest has been shown by the Transport Workers Union and the Nurses Association. If you wear a uniform to work, talk to your union about getting involved.

OLYMPIC CLOTHING

SOCOG has certainly been facing some heavy criticisms of late. Amongst them the TCFUA and the Labor Council have been arguing strongly that in addition to concerns regarding the sheer volume of clothing that is being produced offshore, an inspector needs to be sent to the overseas factories where Olympic volunteer uniforms are being made (Fiji, Malaysia and Indonesia). SOCOG expressed no interest in ensuring that the workers in these factories were receiving fair wages and conditions. Nor were they (or Bonds) willing to supply even details of the factories' locations. Following concerted pressure and extensive negotiations with the TCFUA, SOCOG have now agreed to bring the manufacturing of 15,000 business shirts back to Australia. They have also agreed to provide details of the locations of the factories where Olympic clothing is being made offshore, along with letters of introduction from Bonds giving access to the factories for Labor Council representatives.

Concerns about the impact of the Olympics on the clothing industry are not over, however. The sheets for the Olympic village are to be made overseas. They will be used, then laundered, then used again for the Paralympics, then laundered again and distributed for use in public hospitals. This will result in a loss of work for those working at the local company which currently has the hospital tender.

NEWCASTLE

The Newcastle Fair Wear group is discussing a focus on surf wear, given their proximity to the beach. The surf tour will travel through the city sometime in March and it is envisaged that there may be an opportunity for lobbying and media surrounding that event.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Enclosed with this newsletter is a master copy of our latest wallet card. You might like to make some copies and send them out with your Christmas cards, along with a brief explanation about the campaign.

You can contact the NSW Fair Wear campaign in any of the following ways:

Phone: 02 9380 9091
fax: 02 9331 8490

email: fairwear@awatw.org.au

webpage: http://www.awatw.org.au/fairwear

P.O. Box 708
Darlinghurst
Sydney, NSW 1300

Fair Wear Christmas Action

There will be a Christmas Fair Wear action on December 15 from 12.30pm in the Pitt Street Mall. A choir will be present singing Christmas Carols with a difference. There will also be a list of 'Naughty and Nice' companies kept by a large bearded man wearing red and white.

12.30pm Wednesday December 15
Pitt Street Mall
Outside The Body Shop

We will be assembling outside The Body Shop at 12.30pm. Leafleting will be happening between 12.30 and 1.30 and speeches will be taking place from 1pm.