Outworker Forum:
Outworker speaking on why we need legislation
Briefing on Legislation
Action Group and FairSchool Wear Updates
Where: TCFUA - Level 2 132 Leicester St Carlton
When: Thursday 17th Oct. @ 3 - 4.30 pm
Dear FairWear Supporter,
We are writing to ask for your support for Outworkers at this critical
time. There is now a real possibility of achieving legislation for
outworkers in Victoria. The Family and Community Development committee
inquiry into the conditions of clothing outworkers, released a report
last week, recommending that the State Government introduce legislation
for outworkers as was introduced in NSW in December 2001.
The NSW legislation, or Ethical Trading Act, provides some of the
essential framework for protection's for outworkers, offering a real
prospect of changing the exploitative culture in the industry and giving
outworkers wage justice at last.
The legislation allows for outworkers to be deemed employees, and the
capacity for outworkers to recover monies up the contracting chain
beyond the person who gives them work. It also provides for a state
Retailers Code, similar to the Code recently launched in NSW, to ensure
transparency in the contracting chain and for accreditation to the
Homeworkers Code of Practice. Legislation to cover all links in the
contracting chain is needed to give outworkers the same rights as other
Australian workers to fair wages and conditions.
Actions you can take
*Fax, post or email letters urging the Government to keep their
pre-election promise to outworkers and introduce legislation to end
exploitation within the clothing industry.
*Fax, post or email letters to the Opposition encouraging them to show
bipartisan support for legislation for outworkers.
*Pass on this request far and wide and get Networks to call or send
letters, faxes and emails and come along the campaign briefing.
*Form a delegation and see Ministers, Independents or your local member
to ask them to support these most vulnerable and underpaid of workers.
*Join FairWear in actions to highlight the need for effective legislation.
In the lead up to the State election we are stepping up the campaign for
legislation. The next few months are important. A real opportunity
exists to make an immeasurable difference to the lives of outworkers and
their families, to end the $2 and $3 an hour wages. We need to see
effective legislation for outworkers in Victoria and we are seeking your
support to do this. For further information or to let us know if you or
a representative from your organisation will be at the briefing please
ring 92515270 or 0403 920 195.
Yours sincerely,
Karrina Nolan - FairWear Coordinator
130 Lt Collins St Melbourne 3000
Ph 92515270 fax 96504490
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Why Outworkers need legislation - Points to inlcude in your letter
*Outworkers in Victoria still have no legal protections, despite
numerous Senate inquires, reports, commissions and academic research
which has documented the vulnerable position of outworkers who often
work long hours, with pay rates as low as $2-$3 an hour. Many companies
in Victoria are not party to the Federal Award and do not have any
obligations about what pay and entitlements they provide to outworkers.
Legislation would go some of the way to address the culture of
exploitation in the industry.
*An inquiry conducted by the Family and Community Development Committee
into the conditions of clothing outworkers released a report in
September 2002 recommending that the Victorian Government introduce
legislation. The Government attempted to introduce legislation for
outworkers as part of the Fair Employment Bill in 2000, which did not
receive support from the liberals.
*We are calling on the Bracks Government to keep their election promise
of ending exploitation within this industry and to initiate specific
legislation to ensure outworkers receive a fair go. We are urging
bipartisan support for legislation to protect outworkers.
*It is also time for the Government to set an example and end
exploitation through ensuring all government contracts are covered by an
ethical procurement/sourcing code. Governments on NSW and QLD have
already done this.
*Legislation is necessary as retailers continue to renege on their
responsibilities under the voluntary industry Homeworker's Code of
Practice, most companies who are signed on are refusing to support the
accreditation and labelling parts of the code. This refusal to abide by
the voluntary code demonstrates why legislation is necessary.
The Hon Robert Doyle
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House, Melbourne 3002
Ph: 9651 8512
Fax: 9651 8426
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phil Honeywood
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
44 New St, Ringwood 3134
Ph: 9870 7396
Fax: 9870 9518 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Andrew McIntosh
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations
Suite 1, 400 High St, Kew 3101
Ph: 9853 2999
Fax: 9853 1299 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
John Lenders
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
and Finance and Industrial Relations
PO Box 2660, Dandenong North 3175
Ph: 9790 0022 Fax: 9790 1173
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Hon Steve Bracks
Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
1 Treasury Pl, Melbourne 3002
Ph: 9651 5000 Fax: 9651 5298
Electorate office - PO Box 524, Williamstown 3016
Ph: 9399 9022 Fax: 9397 7227
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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