COVID-19 has prompted many Australian fashion brands to improve their sourcing practices, new insights from Baptist World Aid's 2020 COVID Fashion Report indicate.
Following the devastating impacts of the pandemic on the global fashion industry, this year's Baptist World Aid (BWA) report focuses on fashion's response to the pandemic.
According to BWA, 50 million garment workers lost wages in the early part of 2020, totalling US$5.79 billion.
By May, over 30% of Bangladeshi garment workers reported their children had gone without food due wide-spread order cancellations.
In response to the pandemic, BWA analysed more than 400 well-known fashion brands and the extent to which they had addressed risks facing their workers in the global fashion industry supply chain.
The research revealed that 70% of companies assessed could demonstrate that they had taken some deliberate positive steps to support vulnerable garment workers through the crisis.
Top scorers in 2020 were the brands that could demonstrate action across all six COVID Fashion Commitments, which include; supporting workers’ wages by honouring supplier commitments; identifying and supporting the workers at greatest risk; listening to the voices and experience of workers; ensuring workers’ rights and safety are respected; collaborating with others to protect vulnerable workers; and, building back better for workers and the world.
Top scorers from Australia and New Zealand identified in the report were Country Road, Glassons, Retail Apparel Group, Kathmandu and The Iconic.
Baptist World Aid Australia (BWAA) CEO John Hickey said that the report highlights those that have supported vulnerable workers through the pandemic.
"Fashion companies have been literally fighting for survival in 2020.
"But the wellbeing of the workers who produce the garments they sell must still be considered a core priority.
"Survival is critical, but it should not be achieved on the backs of their most vulnerable workers.
"The pandemic has impacted the fashion industry at great scale, with the potential of reversing a decade worth of progress made in improving the rights and conditions of garment workers across the globe.
"This special edition of our annual report aims to acknowledge the brands committing to stand with the workers during the crisis and motivate others to do the same," he said.
However, the report found that 56% of fashion brands were unable to demonstrate actions in all six areas of the COVID Fashion Commitments.
Despite this, the report indicates that brands are starting to shift their focus with 22% of companies identifying strengthening worker voice systems as a key priority moving forward, while 16% of companies reported piloting or implementing new systems through the crisis period.
BWAA director of advocacy Peter Keegan added that improving the supply chain will benefit the industry in the long-run as well as in the COVID recovery.
"Embedding a vision and practice in the fashion world that treats all workers – regardless of where they work in the supply chain – with dignity and respect, is critical.
"It is key not only to the immediate COVID-19 response but also to the development of an industry made up of companies that are both good businesses and businesses that are good," he said.
To download the full list, click here.
An earlier version of this story stated Rebecca Vallance, Showpo, Lowes and P.E Nation were “low scorers” in the report. This information was incorrect and has since been removed. Ragtrader apologises for the confusion.