The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) has hit out at a leading industry body which heavily criticised new outworkers legislation.
After meeting with Victorian clothing manufacturers on Friday to discuss issues arising from current Fair Work legislation, the Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) CEO Jo Kellock, revealed her concerns over the laws.
“The intent of the legislation was to protect the vulnerable which we fully support, however parts of it are poorly drafted and can be misinterpreted, or even worse can lead to a potential abuse of power,” Kellock said.
“We now have the ridiculous situation where it is not feasible to start a small manufacturing business from home in this sector.
“This legislative framework threatens to seriously hinder the Australian industry’s production and entrepreneurial capability, undermining its future growth potential.”
Hot on the heels of these comments, TCFUA's national and Victorian secretary, Michele O’Neil, released a statement yesterday slamming the TFIA for its comments.
“I am deeply concerned by the position of the TFIA, which should be providing clear leadership in the transition to an ethical and sustainable textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry, rather than being on the wrong side of history in seeking to dismantle minimum legal protections,” O’Neil said.
“The Fair Work laws, including the modern award, provide a critical safety net of terms and conditions for workers in the industry.”
She said the TFIA is misinformed and out of touch given the extent of exploitation within the TCF industry.
Kellock disagrees and said unless adjustments are made to the law, the viability of the TCF industry 'is now unduly vulnerable'.
At Friday's meeting other issues were raised about the compliance regime and the volume of paperwork required to prove adherence to the law.
UPDATE: FairWear, a community campaign working to eliminate the exploitation of sweatshop workers and home-based outworkers in the Australian clothing industry, has also challenged Kellock's remarks.
Today, FairWear NSW campaign coordinator, Amity Lynch, said the group is 'deeply concerned' over the comments, but says the opposition to legal protections for outworkers could be a sure sign that the laws are working.
“You have to wonder why certain employers in the industry are so scared of transparency in their supply chains,” Lynch said.
“Many companies have now become accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia to help ensure that workers in their supply chain receive their correct pay and entitlements.
“Why should other companies have a competitive advantage by having their clothes made in backyard sweatshops or by paying outworkers less than half the award wage they are entitled to?”
Lynch said the compliance work is necessary as the industry is 'rife' with exploitation of workers, with many outworkers receiving as little as $4-$6 an hour, despite their high levels of skill.