Ethical Clothing Australia is committed to centring the voices and experiences of workers. For this Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2024, we are proud to be sharing stories from outworkers in their own words.

I’m living in NSW

I’m sewing at home for 27 years.

My husband brought me to Australia, I can’t speak English, I didn’t know what to do. My sister in-law sewing at home, and I asked her to teach me how to sew for few months and started took garments and sew at home when I have my daughter 1997.

I did all kinds of work. First was easy and simple garments, and by many years experience I can make any work. I can make fashion dresses for big labels or make sample.

I always stayed home. In the morning, I prepared everything for the kids go to school and cook for husband go to work. Then I started sewing until afternoon.When the kids is home, I look after them and I prepared dinner for family. After housework finished I got back to sew again until midnight. Sometimes very late or I asked help from the family members because I did made a mistake or urgent work.

It’s hard job, they paid low, I had no choice, but I was happy because it’s suitable job for me to look after my family and earned some income.

I knew TCF Union before, but employer manipulated me, I scared to lose my job. I close my door and I decided not to speak up. I think many other people out there the same as me.

After long time convincing by OWOR officer, I understanding what Right for Outworker is get treat as a worker in the factory. I realised they under paid me is not right, and I didn’t get any Legal Right for outworker.

I disappointed that I didn’t trust TCF Union or hear anything about ECA accredited business before.

My favourite thing about my job is I can still work at home to look after the family, work less hours as permanent part time but I can get pay right wage and super and many more. The best thing is secure job.

Who is an outworker?

An outworkers is an individual who manufactures clothing from their home or non-conventional workplace. These highly skilled workers are often women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.

Despite Australia’s workplace laws, these workers remain susceptible to exploitation, ranging from minor breaches to instances of modern slavery. This vulnerability stems from factors such as complex supply chains, isolated working conditions, limited awareness of rights, and barriers to seeking support.  

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Union, as part of the service level agreement (SLA) with Ethical Clothing Australia, delivers an Outworker Outreach Program. Many of the Outworker Outreach Officers from the TCF Union have lived experience as garment workers and are often from similar cultural and language backgrounds. These Officers are dedicated to engaging outworkers and building relationships and trust, so the worker knows they have someone to turn if workplace issues arise.