Fearless: The Importance Of The Textile Industry In Australia

The textile industry is an important aspect in the lives of many Australians, whether it involves wearing the textile products, using it or making them. Due to the importance of the textile industry, companies rely on the exploitation of outworkers, in order to make large profits from their products. Outworkers, are unfairly paid staff, with indecent working hours, usually based working at home (Fair Work Ombudsman, 2017) Furthermore, outworkers receive unfair wages and experience appaling working conditions, which is why Australian consumers should be willing to spend more time, effort and money to buy clothing that is ethically made. However, when buying products, social/cultural, economic and legal perspectives need to be considered, as
Additionally, because of the sudden change of cultural setting in coming to a new country, many SE Asian women, find it difficult speaking up about their situation, because freedom of speech for women isn't a common occurrence in their culture (Asian Women at Work.) Work for the outworkers, also takes over so much time in their lives. Hein for instance from ‘Fearless: Stories from Asian Women’ expressed her concerns about the difficulties of her job, as well as balancing family, in order to complete unrealistic deadlines, resulting to strenuous hours, ranging from 12 to 15 hours a day, 7 days per week (Choice, 2014). Furthermore, because of the strenuous hours migrant women frequently face, they find it difficult balancing their education, in order to obtain mainstream jobs, and to escape this exploitation (Fearless: Stories from Asian Women,
This is because, as well as the low wage rate, supplies such as, sewing equipment, electricity, furniture and haberdashery are typically purchased by the outworkers, which can cost up to several thousands of dollars, rather than being supplied by their workers (McCutcheon 2011.) Although, in certain circumstances, where the equipment is supplied by their employers, the migrant outworkers are consequently limited to working for their supplier, making it impossible to receive other jobs. The outworker’s families, are often affected by this, as they would find it difficult to survive without the wage earned. Balancing all the requirements associated with supplying and maintaining their equipment, family and lifestyle would be problematic considering, the low paying wage. Relating to these social and cultural perspectives, outworkers are left in the dark about the entitlements Australian workers receive, hence leaving them at loss from the benefits. The entitlements include, sick leave, holiday pay, worker’s compensation and superannuation, all leaving them to unfair disadvantages. Due to the lack of entitlements the outworkers receive, the companies benefit greatly from this, as they still earn profits, whilst leaving the outworkers at the bottom of the economic chain as they are only contracted workers, not actual employees of the company ("Outworkers' Legal Rights"