Union battle-ready for TCF Review

NATIONAL: The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) has denied the Federal Government any breathing space in the lead up to its report on the future of the TCF sector.

TCFUA incoming national secretary Michele O'Neil has announced the launch of a campaign aimed at combating "exploitative" conditions in the  local manufacturing sector, just weeks out from the release of the Rudd Government's 2008 TCF Review.

Dubbed the 'Make it Well, Make it Fair, Make it Here' campaign, the TCFUA initiative consists of worker and community event protests, online actions and local seat lobbying. O'Neil said lobbying would continue in the lead up to any decision made on the future of the TCF sector, with demonstrations set to intensify as Parliament sits in late August and again in early September.

"We call on the Rudd Government to...implement a forward-looking industry plan that supports jobs, innovation, skills and export development," O'Neil said. "We agree with Prime Minister Rudd that Australia should be a country that continues to 'actually make things'. We're urging the government to work with the industry to make it well, make it fair and make it here."

The union is lobbying for expanded industry assistance, a freeze on further tariff reductions, improved training and investment in skills and Government procurement support of local ethical manufacturing. O'Neil repeated the often-touted line that the industry had a "shameful" record in protecting worker's rights, with 40,000 displaced workers recorded in the last decade and thousands of outworkers still paid as little as $3 an hour.

"Australian taxpayers expect that government funds delivered to the industry should go to companies that ensure their workers are paid properly under fair conditions and that goods are made according to the best environmental standards," she said. "The TCFUA and its members have a plan for the industry that would see the government encourage innovative, green and ethical manufacturing in Australia."

The Federal Government's review of the TCF industry, announced by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr and conducted by Professor Roy Green, will be released on August 31. The report will include a list of outcomes and recommendations on ensuring the future of Australia's TCF industry.

By Assia Benmedjdoub