The 'No Sweat Shop' label is now recruiting.

Please find below position descriptions for four exciting new roles with the No Sweat Shop label:

· HWCP Program Officers
(2 x full-time positions; 1 based in Melbourne and 1 in Sydney)
· HWCP Finance Officer
(Part-time [0.4] based in Melbourne)
· HWCP Administrative Officer
(Full-time based in Melbourne)

Applications close Friday 8 August 2008

For further information, please contact HWCP National Program Co-ordinator, Tommy Clarke at tommy@nosweatshoplabel.com or on 0409 550 460.

As part of the 'No Sweat Shop' label program, the peak industry body, the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA), is also recruiting a 'HWCP Industry Outreach & Education Officer'. Contact Jo Kellock on 03 8680 9400 for further information.

Federal Government delivers on promise to fund the 'No Sweat Shop' label

The joint union-industry initiative tackling exploitation in the Australian fashion and clothing industry, the Homeworkers Code of Practice (HWCP) and its ‘No Sweat Shop’ label Accreditation system, is set to receive support from the Federal Government.



Speaking at the launch on 1 May 2008 at the factory of local manufacturer Qualitops, the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced that the Federal Government will provide $4million over four years to the Code’s joint union-industry Committee to develop and promote the practical industry solution.

Thanking the Government for its support, TCFUA State Secretary and the event’s MC, Michele O’Neil, said that with an increased budget the HWCP will see more companies undergo the Accreditation process, increase capacity to check that companies are complying with the Code and relevant laws so that workers receive fair wages and conditions, and to promote manufacturers using the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label to consumers.

“This campaign is an extraordinary example of what can be done when an Industry acknowledges that exploitation of workers is unacceptable and takes practical and tangible steps to clean up its act. It aims to end the exploitation of home-based workers by Accrediting ethical companies, who are prepared to make their contracting chains transparent, and to give consumers opportunities to make ethical decisions,” Ms O’Neil said

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Textile Fashion Industry Association (TFIA), Jo Kellock, said the HWCP initiative and now with the resources to back it up, presented a prime opportunity to demonstrate how well things can work collaboratively.

“There is an expectation within today’s modern society that all workers, including manufacturing workers, be treated fairly, remunerated accordingly and provided with the right tools & equipment to enable them to produce quality products,” Ms Kellock said.

HWCP Program Co-ordinator, Tommy Clarke, said it was a very exciting time for everyone involved with the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label.

“The Code is a practical tool that companies can utilize to ensure their manufacturing practices are ethical, but it’s also a great way to demonstrate this to the growing base of consumers who are wanting to make ethical choices when purchasing their clothes,” Mr Clarke said.

 

‘No Sweat Shop’ label now more accessible to emerging local talent

The Homeworkers Code of Practice (HWCP) Committee that administers the ‘Accreditation’ system for the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label, has announced it’s new fee structure to come into effect at the beginning of 2008.

The changes to the fee structure are designed to make the HWCP Accreditation system for Australian-based manufacturing more affordable for emerging small to medium sized clothing fashion-houses and designers.

HWCP Project Officer, Tommy Clarke, hopes the reduced fee for labels that have been in business for less then two years will see a new wave of designers adopting the principals of ethical manufacturing.

“I think 2008 is going to be an exciting year for the No Sweat Shop label. We’re speaking with a number of small innovative designers that have a commitment to local and ethical manufacturing, and now with a the new fee structure, they’ll be able to utilise the Homeworkers Code of Practice to ensure they have the appropriate systems in place during their seminal years,” Mr Clarke said.

Under the new fee system, ‘start up’ companies in their first year will have an application fee of $800, before moving up to $1,200 in their second year. This is in addition to the existing $500 ‘HWCP designer scholarship’ category that has already attracted applications from companies such as the not-for-profit, Rise Up Productions, and emerging trend setter, New Model Beauty Queen. At the other end of the spectrum, well established and large brands will be invited to lead the way in supporting the HWCP’s efforts by contributing to a ‘patrons’ scheme with a fee of $4,000 per annum. The standard flat rate of $2,000 per annum will also remain in place.

With a growing consumer base of environmentally and ethically conscious consumers, Mr Clarke believes early adopters of independent and reputable codes of practices such as the HWCP, stand to benefit commercially.

“Even just based on the type of enquiries I get through the No Sweat Shop label website, I definitely think clean, green and sweat-free products are finding a strong foothold in the market. So to anyone in the ragtrade wanting to take the step and commit to ethical manufacturing, I recommend you get in touch and see how the No Sweat Shop label could benefit you,” Mr Clarke said.

 

BoSL Report: Ethical Threads

During the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (2007), the Brotherhood of St Laurence launched a report on corporate social responsibility in the clothing industry. The 'Ethical Threads' report found that the clothes Australians buy are produced by companies that have been slow to embrace both mandatory and voluntary mechanisms to protect workers' conditions in this country and overseas. Yet local outworkers interviewed said working conditions were worse than five years ago because a shortage of work left them with little bargaining power with contractors. You can download a copy of the Ethical Threads report here >>