Oz firms committed to domestic manufacturing: survey

21 Oct '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Textile, clothing and footwear manufacturers in Australia remain committed to domestic manufacturing and retaining jobs in the industry post COVID-19, according to a survey by Ethical Clothing Australia. The survey of 34 Australian manufacturers was conducted in the lead up to Ethical Clothing Australia Week which is being observed from October 18 to 24.

Cent per cent of businesses surveyed say they are committed to local manufacturing and retaining local jobs, and more than 70 per cent reported that more customers are asking questions about the labour rights of the people who made their clothes.

And in a rare upside to the COVID-19 pandemic, local garment manufacturers have seen an increase in both new customers and online sales. Almost 60 per cent of respondents reported an increase in new customers and 49 per cent have seen an increase in online sales, according to a press release from Ethical Clothing Australia.

Despite the promising responses, the local textile, clothing and footwear industry has felt the effect of COVID-the pandemic. While many manufacturers changed operations in a pandemic-inspired pivot to supply vital protective garments and face masks, many more have needed to suspend operations and close their stores and the survey results revealed that some are uncertain about their future.

Ethical Clothing Australia manager Angela Bell said the results supported the view that despite these extraordinarily difficult times, there is a rising interest in local and ethical manufacturing.

“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,” she said.

“The Union have completed more than 525 compliance checks this year and they have had more than 262 outworker contacts – again exceeding the volume of work undertaken when compared to this time last year,” she added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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