Ethical Clothing Australia welcomes re-funding announcement

20 May '11

2 min read

The Australian Government has announced it will provide $4 million over four years to continue its support of Ethical Clothing Australia.

Ethical Clothing Australia is a voluntary accreditation and labelling system that assists the local textile, clothing and footwear industry ensure Australian workers receive fair wages and decent conditions.

With more than 50 Australian brands and manufacturers already accredited, the Government funding will enable Ethical Clothing Australia to continue to work with ethical businesses to help ensure legal obligations and standards are met throughout their supply chain.

Once compliant, accredited brands are licensed to display the Ethical Clothing Australia trademark on their Australian-made products, providing consumers and buyers with a way to identify and support ethical Australian-made products.

In welcoming the news National Secretary of the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, Michele O'Neil, said the funding will enable Ethical Clothing Australia to continue to work with businesses that are committed to taking steps to keep their Australian-based supply chains transparent and compliant with all relevant Australian labour laws.

“Unfortunately 'Australian-made' does not always mean ethically made, so it's imperative that we continue to work with the industry to ensure workers are not exploited and receive fair wages and decent conditions,” Ms O'Neil said.

CEO of the Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia, Jo Kellock, said that the announcement could not have come at a better time.

“With an increasing number of Australian brands and manufacturers seeking Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation, it's clear there is growing recognition of the advantages of supply chain transparency. Recent Roy Morgan research that shows a 'super' majority (90%) of Australians are more likely to buy Australian-made, so I think the outlook is quite promising for businesses that can effectively promote Australian manufacturing through their ethical credentials,” Ms Kellock said.

Ethical Clothing Australia is a joint industry - union initiative governed by an independent, not-for-profit committee of management, the Homeworker Code Committee Inc, with representation from major stakeholders in the textile, clothing and footwear industry.

This is Ethical Clothing Australia's second round of funding from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, following the initial provision of $4 million in May 2008.

Ethical Clothing Australia

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