Australian fashion brands failing to pay offshore workers living wages

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 20:31 · Archive

Most Australian fashion companies cannot show their offshore garment workers are paid a living wage, a report finds.

Most Australian fashion brands are failing to show their offshore garment workers are paid a living wage, according to a Baptist World Aid Australia analysis of more than 500 local fashion houses. The report found 87% could not provide evidence of paying a living wage to workers in their overseas supply chain facilities. According to the federal government, 97% of Australia's textiles are designed and manufactured overseas, mostly in low-cost nations such as China and Vietnam.

In factories performing final stage tasks such as assembly, cutting, sewing and printing, living wages—in some cases less than $180 a month—were paid in only 3% of cases. Many brands conceded failure on baseline pay beyond their direct suppliers, despite having labour rights policies in place. The worst performers on ethical production were surf, skate and streetwear brands, ultra-fast fashion companies, and footwear manufacturers.

Katherine Halliday, report author and advocacy lead at Baptist World Aid Australia, said local brands had stalled on delivering better pay to factory workers despite previous promises. 'Brands are getting better at talking about sustainability, but that talk isn't translating to real change on the ground,' she said. 'Indicators like supplier tracing and living wage have sat at the same level for years, and brands are repeating the same commitments from one report to the next.' She added that Australia's cost of living squeeze was amplifying the long-term problem.

How it is being reported

• Brands unfashionable on living wages for offshore staffMany Australian fashion companies are failing on ethical production and worker rights amid little evidence their offshore workers are paid enough to live on.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 20:02
• Brands unfashionable on living wages for offshore staffMany Australian fashion companies are failing on ethical production and worker rights amid little evidence their offshore workers are paid enough to live on.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 20:02

In this story: Baptist World Aid Australia · Katherine Halliday · China · Vietnam · Australia

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