Where to Shop?

This is deliberately framed as a question because at the moment there aren't a lot of places you can shop and be sure you're not a party to exploitation (rest assured, Op Shops are always a safe bet because they're out of the production loop).

Following our inception in 1996, Fair Wear sought companies' signatures to the 'Homeworkers Code of Practice' as an indication that they were doing the right thing by the workers making their garments. We asked consumers to support retailers and manufacturers who had signed the Code and distributed a 'wallet card' as a reference guide for shoppers to follow.

The Homeworkers Code of Practice Committee is the body which has overseen developments in the Code since 1996.

In late 2000, the Code of Practice Committee unveiled the tools for monitoring the Code, which represents the accountability mechanisms of the system.

The monitoring system consists of:

• a computerised Garment Sewing Time Manual which translates the award hourly rate into fair piece rates for each garment outworkers sew;

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

• a 'No SweatShop' label that accredited companies are allowed to use and which outworkers will sew into clothing they make for fair rates;

Once this accreditation and monitoring system was completed, the Code Committee contacted the 140 companies that Fair Wear had lobbied successfully to sign the Code, informing them of the development of the monitoring system and No SweatShop label. The committee invited the companies to attend information seminars to find out how they could become involved in the accreditation and labelling system.

Only a handful of the 140 companies who had signed the Code attended these seminars. Fair Wear found this to be extremely disappionting, and a breach of the good faith we had shown by promoting these companies to consumers. For this reason, Fair Wear no longer distributes the Wallet Cards or promotes the companies who have only signed the Code.

Since the beginning of 2001, only four companies have become accredited to use the No SweatShop label. They are:

• Australian Defence Apparel - makers of Australia's army uniforms
• Beare & Ley - makers of school uniforms for schools across NSW
• Qualitops - a t-shirt manufacturer based in Melbourne
• Hunter Gatherer - a label of the Brotherhood of St Lawrence stores in Victoria

Please support these companies who have identified themselves as leaders in the fight to end exploitation of clothing outworkers.

If your favourite manufacturer or retailer does not appear on this list, contact us about lobbying them to be involved.

We have orange No SweatShop label postcards that we encourage you to send to companies to enlist their involvement in the accreditation and labelling system.