Following its emergency roundtable hosted in early August, the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has provided an update to the industry of the progress it's made with the government.
Collating the common concerns from fashion businesses, the AFC has been in communication with the government to allow the safe restart of the manufacturing sector within the fashion and textile industry.
"We are requesting that local fashion and textile industry makers and manufacturers be given the same privileges of construction and warehousing workers and be added to the 'Authorised Workers' list and allowed to get back to work," the AFC said in a statement.
The AFC reports that it has sent its requests to the NSW Premier and Treasurer, but is yet to receive a response, given the escalating situation in the state.
The AFC Forum was also attended by representatives from the offices of Alex Greenwich MP and City of Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor, Jessica Scully, who have also received the AFC's letter and have offered to advocate on the AFC's behalf with the Premier and Treasurer.
Meanwhile, on August 10, the AFC along with local brand/maker representatives, met with the General Manager of the Federal COVID Response team and other key members of the Department of Industry, Science and Technology (DISER) to discuss the impact of the lockdown on local brands/makers.
The result of these discussions is the need to clarify in detail, "the full range of COVID-safe practices the industry can apply to minimise transmission risk and ensure safe operation."
To do this, the AFC has launched a survey, which asks questions around how fashion businesses will create a COVID-safe workplace.
"This survey will also help us quantify production capacity and vaccination baseline levels for future reporting," the AFC said.
"Questionnaires are confidential and will only be used to report on aggregates within the sector.
"If you haven’t done so already, please complete the questionnaire here.
"Please make sure you encourage your manufacturing supply chain to fill this out.
"Once we have validated your commitment to the COVID-safe plan, we will be contacting Minister Ayers, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, and Minister Tudehope, Minister for Finance and Small Business, stipulating our plans and requesting their immediate attention and advocacy on this matter.
"We will also continue to advocate with the Federal government on behalf of the industry as well as other State governments where appropriate," the AFC said.
Additionally, the organisation is encouraging fashion businesses to get in contact with their State and Federal Members of Parliament.
The next AFC Industry Forum will be held at 4pm, Tuesday August 31.