Australian fashion brands called out in Oxfam’s 2021 ‘Naughty or Nice’ list
A list of Australia’s most and least ethical fashion brands has been released. Find out who were the worst offenders.
Confidential
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Human rights organisation Oxfam has called on major fashion brands including Myer and Lorna Jane to be more transparent about their manufacturing practices.
On Thursday, the non-profit organisation released its annual Naughty or Nice list ahead of Black Friday sales.
Brands who made the nice list are those that have taken steps towards ensuring that their factory workers are paid a living wage.
Research conducted by Oxfam shows Myer, Lorna Jane and The Just Group (which owns brands like Just Jeans and Portmans) were among this year’s worst offenders on the Naughty list due to lack of transparency, which Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said is concerning.
“Three major clothing companies in Australia - Lorna Jane, Myer and The Just Group - have failed to take the basic step of publishing key information about where they manufacture their clothes,” Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said.
“It’s particularly disappointing to see brands that promote the wellbeing of women, such as Lorna Jane, failing to be transparent about the factories in which their clothes are made. This supports a culture of secrecy that is harmful to the wellbeing of all women, including those who make our clothes, and entrenches the massive power disparity between brands and garment workers.”
Meanwhile, Zara and Jeans West have made progress over the years but still have room for improvement.
“Many of the women who make our clothes are living in poverty and work in unsafe conditions,” Morgain said.
“For example, in Bangladesh - where many Australian brands manufacture their clothes - the minimum wage equates to 62 cents an hour, or $129 a month. This is less than half (40 per cent) of a ‘living wage’.”
A spokeswoman for popular activewear brand Lorna Jane told Confidential that the company has a “zero-tolerance” policy for factories that do not pay workers a living wage.
“At Lorna Jane, we take a very serious view towards our social accountabilities, ethical sourcing and our responsibilities under the Australian Government’s Modern Slavery Act 2018,” she said.
“We are focused on continuous improvement and investment in our ethical sourcing program. This includes a commitment to a living wage for all involved in the manufacture of our products.”
Confidential has contacted Myer and The Just Group for comment.
Branding expert, Nicole Reaney, who works with retailer Best & Less, which made Oxfam’s Nice list, said there’s been a global shift towards ethical fashion in recent years.
“We are living in different times - consumers are far more educated and seek out information into the journey that their product choices have made,” said Reaney, of InsideOut PR.
“This is coming through in a range of sectors from fashion to food and more. Brands that don’t comply, will certainly face the brunt of adverse media campaigns and negative social sentiment.
“This will have the effect of consumers questioning their choices. These reports come in waves and with the impacts of Covid-19 on the retail sector, and ahead of the busy Christmas trade, this will certainly have some impact... It is important for brands to continue their conversation with their customers and stakeholders on the positive initiatives they’re undertaking.”
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