An international charity is calling on Australian fashion brands to live their values and ensure they pay a living wage to the women who make their clothes.
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To coincide with International Women's Day on Tuesday, Oxfam is spotlighting women's fitness brand Lorna Jane and period underwear outfit Modibodi as part of its "What She Makes" campaign.
It demands big brands pay a living wage to all their garment workers, the vast majority of whom are women.
Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain said 70 per cent of garment workers in China are women, a rate that grows to 80 per cent in Bangladesh and 90 per cent in Cambodia.
"Like many other female-dominated industries, these jobs offer lower wages and the link between these poor wages and poor health outcomes is clear," she said.
"For example, previous Oxfam research found that more than half of garment workers in Bangladesh and Vietnam cannot afford proper medical treatment when they are sick.
"More than three quarters of workers in Bangladesh are unable to take sick leave when needed. In Vietnam, that figure is 94 per cent."
Modibodi has pledged to develop a roadmap this year to separate labour costs in pay negotiations with suppliers, while Lorna Jane committed to publishing its factory list on its website early on IWD.
"By taking this important step towards transparency, Lorna Jane has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the payment of living wages," Ms Morgain said.
"Knowing where factories are located means any claims they make can be independently verified, helping us ensure workers' wellbeing and health."
Australian Associated Press
