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Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane has become the first brand in Oxfam’s ‘What She Makes’ campaign to pay a living wage to all garment workers at its one apparel factory. 

According to Oxfam, the human rights organisation has been actively engaging with Lorna Jane for over two years, urging the brand to increase transparency and report on their commitment to payment of a living wage as part of the ‘What She Makes’ campaign which has been active for over seven years.  

Lorna Jane is the first brand involved in the campaign to complete this wage gap analysis, implement back pay, and achieve payment of a living wage to all workers. 

The brand utilises a sole supplier called Active Apparel Group, which exclusively owns a factory in China that produces 100 per cent of Lorna Jane’s apparel. This accounts for 97 per cent of the brand’s entire collection, according to the Lorna Jane website.

Oxfam Australia economic justice strategic lead Nayeem Emran praised Lorna Jane for its ethical progress.

“Over the past two years, since being added to Oxfam’s Company Tracker, Lorna Jane has shown a genuine commitment to ensuring living wages for its workers,” Emran said.

“We commend Lorna Jane for leading the way and showing that paying a living wage is not only possible but essential. Their commitment marks a significant milestone, and we encourage other brands to follow suit.”

Lorna Jane CEO Anna Fowler said the company’s vision is to empower women to transform the world.

“As Active Citizens, we believe in the inherent dignity of all work and are committed to ensuring that every person in our supply chain is treated with respect, empowered through fair employment practices, and supported by living wages,” Fowler said. 

Oxfam Australia’s ‘What She Makes’ campaign works with Australian brands to ensure that the women who make their clothes are empowered to live healthy lives through the payment of a living wage. 

According to Oxfam, if brands deliver on their commitments, workers will be paid enough to cover basic essentials for their families, such as food, housing, healthcare, clothing, transport, education, and some savings for emergencies.

However, Oxfam noted that many Australian and International brands have yet to make a public commitment to conduct a ‘wage gap analysis,’ which is the current required step on the journey to ensuring living wages. 

The NFP is urging local fashion retailers such as Best&Less, Big W, Kmart, Target, Jeanswest and Modibodi to work with their factories to determine the gap between the wages currently paid and a living wage and to bridge that gap.

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