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ECAWEEK24 WEBSITE HEADER WORKER STORIES

Across 117 accredited businesses, Ethical Clothing Australia’s accreditation program protects the rights of thousands of workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry. The program centres the voices and experiences of these workers and ensures they can share their stories, in their own words.  

For Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2024, we visited workers and outworkers who are part of accredited businesses to hear directly from them.  

We’re so grateful to Paula, Suze, Michelle, Chatcha, Tahni, Maggie, Erin, Maria, Bleh Wah, Rachel and Holly and outworkers in New South Wales and South Australia for sharing their stories with us.  

We hope that, as you listen, you’ll understand more about the time, skill, joy and pride that goes into every ethically made garment. 

Victoria

Suze and Paula

Mother and daughter Paula, Alterations Machinist and Suze, Cutting Coordinator, tell us about working together at Fella Hamilton. 

Rachel

Product developer and pattern maker Rachel tells us about her first job straight out of university at Sample Room. 

Holly

Machinist Holly, who moved to Australia from Vietnam in 2007, tells us about her job at Sample Room. 

Erin

Embroidery Supervisor Erin tells us about working her way up at Amare Safety. 

Tahni and Maggie

Warehouse Assistant and Embroidery Supervisor Tahni, who is originally from New Zealand and Embroidery Technician Maggie, who is from China, tell us about working for Amare Safety 

Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2024 has been made possible due to a grant from the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. We are grateful for the continued support of Ethical Clothing Australia.

Queensland

Michelle

All-rounder Michelle, shares what makes her proud to work for ethical manufacturer Struddys 

New South Wales

Maria

Supervisor and cutter Maria, who is originally from Portugal, tells us about working at Buckle for the past 34 years.  

Chatcha

Sewing technician Chatcha, who is from Thailand, tells us about learning and working at social enterprise The Social Outfit 

Bleh Wah

Machinist Bleh Wah (known as Aunty to her co-workers), who is from Myanmar, spoke to us in both English and her first language, Karen, about working at Citizen Wolf 

Outworkers

Outworker from New South Wales

Outworker from South Australia

Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2024 has been made possible due to a grant from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources. We are grateful for the continued support of Ethical Clothing Australia.