Council makes ‘ethical’ choice
Kogarah Council in New South Wales has reportedly become the first council in Australia to agree to purchase uniforms from manufacturers who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice.
The code is a benchmark set by fashion industry groups and the union to stop the exploitation of workers who make clothing at home.
Kogarah's move follows a notice of motion by Councillor John Mikelsons who said exploitation was very common in the fashion and clothing industry.
"This ensures that the council spends ratepayers' money ethically,'' Cr Mikelsons said.
"Some outworkers live in poverty because some unscrupulous clothing business operators do not pay them what they are entitled to.
"We, as a council, have purchasing power to buy uniforms that have been made in fair working conditions.''
Kogarah Council spends about $40,000 annually on clothing and footwear for frontline staff.
NSW Textile Clothing and Footwear Union industrial officer Despina Karlsson said she had discovered manufacturers in the St George area who subcontract work on designer labels for less than the minimum wage.
"A designer may subcontract work to manufacturers in St George and then they further subcontract that work to home workers in the western suburbs for the majority of the construction of the garment,'' Karlsson said.
"The garments then come back to be finished off in St George before going back to the designer.
"In this way, they attempt to avoid compliance with minimum wages, workers' compensation insurance, occupational health and safety requirements, superannuation and other employee entitlements.''
