Nine in ten Australians rate the safety of garment workers as important when buying clothes, according to a new Oxfam Australia survey.
The survey was conducted by YouGov and collected data from 1,023 Australian clothes buyers. It marks the 10-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where 1,134 people died and more than 2,500 injured on April 24, 2013.
The survey also found that 65% of fashion buyers actively take into account ethical factors when making a purchase.
Nearly one-third of clothes buyers ‘explicitly’ consider the human rights of garment workers in their purchasing decisions.
Meanwhile, younger generations such as Gen Z, Gen X and Millennials are more likely to claim ethical consciousness when it comes to purchasing clothing, with over half of each generation likely to make ethical considerations when buying clothes, compared to just 35% of Baby Boomers.
According to Oxfam Australia, garment workers in Bangladesh are paid around $75 a month and often work in dangerous and exploitative conditions. Poor conditions are also reported by garment workers in China, Vietnam and India, where over 80% of Australian clothing is produced.
Oxfam Australia economic justice lead Nayeem Emran is calling on Australian clothing brands to respond to protect garment workers’ rights.
“These survey results demonstrate that Australian consumers are increasingly mindful of the ethical impact of their purchasing decisions, and fashion brands must address these concerns to remain relevant in the market,” Emran said.
“Equally disappointing is the lack of progression being made in improving the wages of garment workers.”
Emran said he has just returned from Bangladesh, where he met with garment workers.
“We know there is a growing concern among consumers for ethical fashion, proving that the Rana Plaza tragedy has not been forgotten.
“The Rana Plaza disaster was a wake-up call, and consumers' demands for transparency and accountability in the fashion industry will continue to increase in the years to come.”
Survivor of the Rana Plaza collapse, Nilufa Yesmin, reportedly suffered a spinal injury from the incident and has not been able to work since due to her injury.
“I see darkness in the future, I cannot work in a garment factory again,” Yesmin said. “As my days are passing, I am suffering from sickness. Now, no garment factory takes me, they say I am injured from Rana Plaza and I cannot work.”
“Those who buy clothes from Bangladesh and wear them, I want to tell them that the workers are not paid equally, compared to the work.
“But workers have the right to get a fair wage from owners and should never be harassed. And they should get a fair wage.”
Emran said Australian brands have a responsibility to ensure that the clothes they sell are made in safe and fair conditions.
"This means paying workers a living wage, providing safe working conditions, signing the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, and respecting workers’ rights to unionise and bargain collectively.
"It is unacceptable that many workers are still being working in unsafe and inhumane conditions, while brands and retailers continue to profit from their labour.
"We cannot afford to wait another ten years for change to happen.”