Textile, clothing and footwear manufacturers remain committed to local manufacturing and retaining jobs post-COVID-19, a survey by Ethical Clothing Australia indicates.
100% of businesses surveyed said that they are committed to retaining local jobs and manufacturing onshore, with 70% saying that more customers are asking about the labour rights of the people who made their clothes.
Ethical Clothing Australia's survey also found that local garment manufacturers have seen an increase in both new customers and online sales.
The survey found that almost 60% of respondents reported an increase in new customers and 49% have seen an increase in online sales.
Ethical Clothing Australia Manager Angela Bell said that alongside these results, more businesses are looking to become ECA certified.
"There are definite signs of hope such as these are worth celebrating.
"We have received almost double the number of applications for accreditation and we have almost doubled the number of accreditations, when compared to this time last year.
"This means business sees value in being transparent about their supply chains and they see value in ethical treatment of workers," she said.
The survey results come as Ethical Clothing Australia celebrates 20 years in business.
To celebrate this milestone, the organisation has launched the first-ever Ethical Clothing Australia Week, running from 18-24 October.
ECA Week 2020 is the first and only Australian week-long event focused on locally-made, ethically-manufactured clothing, textiles and footwear.
The week will celebrate the brands, the designers and the skilled workers behind the garments, through events and online activities.
Ethical Clothing Australia surveyed 34 Australian textile, clothing and footwear manufacturers in the lead up to Ethical Clothing Australia Week.