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Retailers Rethink FairWear Retreat

By Mark Morey

After announcing it would dump an agreement to end sweat shop labour, the peak retail body is having second thoughts in the wake of a groundswell of community anger.

Phil Naylor, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, is now claiming that the ARA is "supportive of the accreditation and labelling systems" which were developed by the FairWear alliance of church and trade unions

But Naylor has stated that the ARA will review the Fair Wear's concerns and consult his members before clarifying ARA's position. Fair Wear is expecting a formal response from the ARA by 20 November.

On Monday, the Fair Wear Coalition held a protest outside the Grace Bros City story and then marched to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA). The aim of the protest was to highlight the ARA back flip and refusal to keep their word and abide by the commitment they made to the Homeworkers Code of Practice.

In response to the Homeworkers Code of Practice Committee finalising the tools to monitor the Code, which will provide real improvements in wages for outworkers, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) stated that it would no longer be participating in the Code of Practice. In a bid to have the ARA change its position, the Fair Wear Coalition held a vocal and well attended protest to highlight the last minute back flip by the ARA.

Debbie Carstens, Coordinator of Fair Wear, stated, "Most major retailers had signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice, but it appeared to be nothing more than an exercise to save their public image. Monitoring of the Code is about to begin, and the ARA, on behalf of its members has said they will have nothing to do with the accountability procedures of the Code".

Dr Alastair Greig, a senior lecturer in sociology from the Australian National University addressed the rally and highlighted the importance of ARA's continued support of the Code stating, "Without an effective Homeworkers Code of Practice, adhered to by all major players in the clothing industry, homeworkers will continue to be among the most exploited members of the Australian workforce".

Other speakers included Tony Woolgar, National Secretary of the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and Debbie Carstens who challenged the ARA to return to their commitment to abide by the Code of Practice.

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  Issue 77 contents

»	Games Workers Still Waiting on Closing Ceremony
»	Showdown: Howard Faces Court Over Rail Sell-Off
»	World Awaits Landmark Slave Labour Decision
»	American Voters Reject Vouchers
»	Illawarra Fights The Big Bastard
»	Retailers Rethink FairWear Retreat
»	Killer Holidays: Activist Fired for Taking Vacation
»	ANZ Faces Contracts Challenge
»	Cup Workers Score Heady Brew
»	Meals on Wheels Turns Mean
»	Wild Horses Get Maurie's Goat
»	Labor Council backs Souths Rally
»	Sisters Celebrate Four Years
»	Reith to Face the Music

»	The Soapbox
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Tool Shed

»	Nader no Fels
»	Sartor's Veladrome

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