NSW: Gvt launches ethical clothing committee

00-00-0000
NSW: Gvt launches ethical clothing committee

SYDNEY, April 11 AAP - Home-based clothing outworkers in NSW may soon no longer beexploited because of a new body launched today.

NSW Minister for Industrial Relations John Della Bosca today launched the Ethical ClothingTrades Council.

The council aims to improve conditions for home-based outworkers in the textiles industry.

The council includes members from key retailers, manufacturers, community and unionsto develop strategies to address poor rates of pay, long hours and unsafe working conditionsin the industry.

Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) state secretary Barry Tubner,who is on the council, said the body was long overdue.

Mr Tubner said it was time the government had moved to try and protect outworkers whowere being exploited in a largely unregulated industry.

"There is no doubt in the world that clothing workers are being exploited and peopleare making a profit from exploiting them," he said.

Mr Tubner said the greatest hurdle the council would have to overcome was whether anyof its recommendations would become mandatory in the industry.

Mr Della Bosca said the council would put in place self-regulatory measures and in12 months time advise the government of the need for mandatory measures.

"The government is delivering a genuine and long overdue resolution of the problemsfacing clothing outworkers, and is fostering a clothing industry that is competitive andfair," Mr Della Bosca said.

The council will be chaired by Joe Riordan, a former deputy president of the AustralianIndustrial Relations Commission and chair of WorkCover NSW.

AAP nd/cjh/de

KEYWORD: CLOTHING