Baptist World Aid Australia (BWAA) is calling on fashion companies to commit to standing with the workers in their global supply chains.
It has launched six COVID Fashion Commitments designed to provide vulnerable workers with immediate support and protection during the Coronavirus pandemic.
These include:
1. Support workers’ wages by honouring supplier commitments
2. Identify and support the workers at greatest risk
3. Listen to the voices and experience of workers
4. Ensure workers’ rights and safety are respected
5. Collaborate with others to protect vulnerable workers
6. Build back better for workers and the world
BWAA has asked the public to join it in encouraging brands to make and deliver on these promises to their workers.
Director of advocacy Peter Keegan said the climate has changed for both retailers and workers.
"As companies and consumers who benefit from the labour of supply chain workers in the good times, we have a responsibility to work together to do all we can to stand with them in these challenging times.”
As retailers continue to close their doors, cancel or suspend orders and lay off staff here in Australia, production facilities around the world are being forced to shut, leaving thousands of workers in dire situations.
In Bangladesh, where most workers are paid only poverty-level wages, more than 1 million workers have already been let go - many without last month’s pay and with little chance of compensation or a social safety net.
Those that remain employed are unlikely to be able to practice social distancing or proper hygiene, increasing the risk of infection in regions where healthcare is often difficult to access.
CEO John Hickey said a group effort is required for the industry to survive.
”No one company will be able to solve the current challenges alone, so as part of these commitments we encourage companies to collaborate and be innovative to ensure they do everything possible to support their workers to get through the health, economic, and humanitarian crises that the coronavirus presents.”