In addition to the obvious moral motivations for eliminating exploitation in our industry, there are commercial incentives for taking a principled approach to business. There is a growing base of consumers looking for ethical suppliers of products. Companies can position themselves to better meet this demand by utilising existing and respected systems such as the HWCP.

A number of the larger manufacturers participating in the HWCP have reported that Accreditation to the Code has helped them to secure Government tenders. With many companies, organizations and government departments adopting detailed ethical procurement policies, being Accredited to the Code could offer your business the competitive edge of being recognized as an ethical manufacturer.

The HWCP Committee and Project Office are involved in numerous promotional initiatives and work to generate positive exposure to the No Sweat Shop label and the companies that manufacture garments bearing it. Positive news and editorialized coverage has proved valuable for many of the smaller manufacturers Accredited to the Code.

Manufacturers Accredited to the HWCP are eligible to access the Garment Timing Manual. The Garment Timing Manual was developed by the HWCP Committee to help translate and compare piece rates to relevant hourly Award rates of pay. The Manual helps manufacturers calculate how much time it’s likely to take a homeworker to complete a task or garment and consequently the minimum that should be paid. The Manual is being updated to include more diverse garment styles as more expert information is gathered from participants.

Accreditation can also help foster functional relationship between businesses and the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia. By reassuring the Union that your company is committed to keeping its production chain transparent, the Union is committed to take a consultative approach to resolving any problems in the production chain. The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union is a rich source of information about the fashion and clothing industry and is always willing to assist Accredited companies source manufacturers.

By following the systems of the HWCP, manufacturers can be sure that they are meeting their legal obligations. But more than this, manufacturers can be sure that they are part of a bigger effort to end exploitation in the fashion and clothing industry.

There are a range of benefits that come with Accreditation to the Code and different companies become Accredited for different reasons, but at the end of the day the Code is about doing the right thing. The Code is about working together to end the injustices experienced by the hundreds of thousands of Australia’s homeworkers.