Background to the Fair School Wear Campaign

Outworkers sew many of the clothes we wear, including our school uniforms, in their own homes often for very low wages in poor conditions. They are used by the clothing industry as cheap labour, made cheaper by widespread avoidance of basic award conditions, including requirements for a safe working environment. The long term effects of this exploitation on the health and welfare of tens of thousands of outworkers and their families are extremely harmful.

In 1996, in response to union and community pressure, several key retailers and manufacturers signed a voluntary agreement known as the Homeworkers Code of Practice. The Code is an agreement negotiated between the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) and key industry groups, including the Australian Retailer's Association (ARA) and the Council of Textile and Fashion Industry Association (TFIA). Signing the Code commits companies to taking responsibility for paying fair wages to the makers of their garments, however far down the chain of production they might be situated. The aim of the Code is to eliminate the exploitation of outworkers in the clothing industry in Australia, ensuring workers receive award wages and conditions. In Australia, the Homeworkers Code of Practice provides procedures to ensure that a commitment to fair wages and conditions can be fulfilled.

The Fair Wear campaign, a coalition of churches, unions and community groups, was formed to increase public awareness of the exploitation experienced by many homebased outworkers in Australia. Community action initiated by the Fair Wear campaign has added to the pressure on retailers and manufacturers to sign the Code of Practice. Letter writing, demonstrations and negotiations have all had a significant effect in progressing the aim of eliminating exploitation of outworkers.

Organisations such as schools and their auxiliaries that purchase clothing on behalf of their members can have a similar influence on the Australian clothing industry.

They can:

• support products made free from exploitation by choosing to purchase from companies which have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice.

• communicate with current suppliers which have not signed the Code that in negotiating future contracts they will be supporting those who have signed the Code of Practice.

• raise the outwork issue for debate within the school community.

• provide Fair Wear with details of where and how their uniforms are made.

Schools can demonstrate their commitment to ending the exploitation of outworkers by signing the statement of commitment.