Fibershed’s Post

📢 Don't miss this new video from the Garment Worker Center. The FABRIC Act is worker-driven federal legislation that will revolutionize the American fashion industry in four key ways. The FABRIC Act will: 🪡 Ensure workers are not paid per piece assembled but paid fair wages, establish a nationwide garment industry registry through the Department of Labor to promote transparency, hold bad actors accountable, and level the playing field. 🪡 Incentivize domestic manufacturing by creating a $50 million Domestic Garment Manufacturing Support Program to invest in upskilling workers and upgrading factories. 🪡 Help prevent wage theft in the garment industry and eliminate piece rate pay until the minimum wage is met to ensure jobs with dignity. 🪡 Create new requirements which hold fashion brands alongside manufacturing partners jointly accountable for workplace wage violations to incentivize responsible production, starting at the top. Learn more and sign the petition here: thefabricact.org/petition. #FABRICact #GarmentIndustry #GarmentWorkerCenter

Help us get this game-changing bill into law! The FABRIC Act is worker-driven federal legislation that will revolutionize the American fashion industry in 4 key ways: 1. FABRIC will ensure workers are not paid per piece assembled but paid fair wages, establish a nationwide garment industry registry through the Department of Labor to promote transparency, hold bad actors accountable, and level the playing field. 2. FABRIC will incentivize domestic manufacturing by creating a $50 million Domestic Garment Manufacturing Support Program to invest in upskilling workers and upgrading factories. 3. FABRIC will help prevent wage theft in the garment industry and eliminate piece rate pay until the minimum wage is met to ensure jobs with dignity. 4. FABRIC will create new requirements that jointly hold fashion brands and manufacturing partners accountable for workplace wage violations to incentivize responsible production, starting at the top. Thanks to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Jerry Naddler for championing this legislation and to remake.world for helping lead the coalition. Thanks to Garment Worker Center for putting together the brilliant video. Join the growing movement. Sign the petition ➡ igsol.net/fabricact

We proudly endorse the #FABRICAct The FABRIC Act is worker-driven federal legislation that will revolutionize the American fashion industry in 4 key ways: * FABRIC will ensure workers are not paid per piece assembled but paid fair wages, establish a nationwide garment industry registry through the Department of Labor to promote transparency, hold bad actors accountable, and level the playing field.  * FABRIC will incentivize domestic manufacturing by creating a $50 million Domestic Garment Manufacturing Support Program to invest in upskilling workers and upgrading factories.  * FABRIC will help prevent wage theft in the garment industry and eliminate piece rate pay until the minimum wage is met to ensure jobs with dignity. * FABRIC will create new requirements that hold fashion brands alongside manufacturing partners jointly accountable for workplace wage violations to incentivize responsible production, starting at the top. Thanks to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Nadler for championing this legislation and to Remake for helping lead the coalition. Join the growing movement. Sign the Petition! FABRICACT.ORG/PETITION

Understanding the Growing Needs and Wants of Workers in the Garment Industry ********************************************************************************** In our ever-evolving world, the needs and wants of individuals are constantly expanding. As society progresses, so do expectations for better working conditions, fair pay, and overall respect in the workplace. Unfortunately, in the garment industry, these expectations are often unmet, leading to ongoing unrest among workers. The garment trade has faced significant challenges in recent years, with reports of labor unrest highlighting the disconnect between workers' needs and the current reality. Workers are not just asking for fair wages; they seek a workplace where they are treated with dignity and respect. The demand for such changes is not merely a fleeting desire but a fundamental human need that must be recognized and addressed. One of the primary reasons for this unrest is the lack of adherence to labor laws. These laws are in place to protect workers, ensuring they receive fair compensation, safe working environments, and reasonable working hours. Yet, many garment factories overlook these regulations, prioritizing profit over people. This neglect inevitably leads to dissatisfaction and unrest among the workforce. It is essential for all stakeholders in the garment trade—manufacturers, retailers, and consumers—to recognize the importance of upholding labor laws. By doing so, we can create an environment where workers feel valued and secure, ultimately leading to a more productive and harmonious workplace. When workers' needs are met, we not only enhance their quality of life but also improve overall efficiency and productivity within the industry. Moreover, the garment industry has a unique opportunity to lead by example. By committing to sustainable and ethical labor practices, companies can build a positive reputation that fosters loyalty among consumers and attracts responsible investment. Ethical practices not only contribute to workers' well-being but can also differentiate a brand in a competitive market. In conclusion, the unrest in the garment trade highlights a critical issue—one that demands immediate attention and action. As the needs and wants of workers grow, it is imperative for companies to align with labor laws and prioritize the well-being of their employees. Only through mutual respect and adherence to ethical standards can we hope to end the cycle of unrest and create a better future for all involved in the garment industry. Let us advocate for a positive change that honors the dignity of every worker.

Explainer: Why brand support for wage bargaining is ‘profound’ for apparel As Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) announces fashion brands and IndustriALL Global Union are supporting its ongoing process of reaching a binding agreement on garment worker wages in Cambodia, Just Style explores what this means for the wider apparel sector. ACT (Action, Collaboration, Transformation) IndustriALL Global Union #workerwages #brandsupport #apparel #JSDaily

The question is simple. "How do you want to be paid?" But how often is it asked? The Garment Worker Center, a workers' rights organization, asked garment workers in Los Angeles to share whether they prefer to be paid by a 'piece rate' model or minimum wage. For context, 'piece rate' is a payscale where factories pay garment workers per piece versus hourly. It's a common practice in the fashion industry, that results in salaries as low as $1.58 per hour. Compare that to California's minimum wage of $16. So, the answer it seems would be simple, but rarely is it asked. Watch the video and read more by clicking the link below. https://lnkd.in/evFCv5gT #workersrights #LosAngeles #fashion

Littler’s Miguel Lopez, Jason Byrd and Austin Hee review how the New York State Fashion Workers Act might impact employers and models in the industry. #employmentlaw 

Littler’s Miguel Lopez, Jason Byrd and Austin Hee review how the New York State Fashion Workers Act might impact employers and models in the industry. #employmentlaw 

📢 Don't miss this new video from our colleagues at the Garment Worker Center! In this clip, garment workers describe how the California law (Garment Worker Protection Act, SB62, 2022) has impacted their income and lives. This law ended base payment by piece rate and closed enforcement loopholes, so garment workers are now really required to be paid a minimum wage in the state. The implementation of the #GarmentWorkerProtectionAct is a success story of grassroots leadership from the garment worker community to protect and improve workers' lives. As industry allies, we must stand with garment workers in support of their important goals. A healthy regional and domestic textile system requires that we support and care for the workers whose skill, time, and energy create the material goods we all use. ➡️ Piece rate pay is still legal in many places across the country, but the FABRIC Act would enact measures to change that. Learn more and support the FABRIC Act here: https://lnkd.in/gQEkvZXs?

Historically, the apparel industry had positioned brands to hold a tremendous amount of power. On one hand, brands tell consumers what they "need" that season. On the other other hand, brands tell suppliers what they must do to keep their business, whether that's meeting certain timelines, reducing costs to a certain dollar amount, or complying with certain social or environmental standards. Although efficient production, low costs, and especially social and environmental standards aren't inherently negative, when they are prescribed without space for conversation, they tend to result in unintended consequences. Speedy timelines may lead to garment workers working overtime. Demanding lower costs may lead to garment workers not being paid a living wage. Prescribing social and environmental requirements may lead to repetitive admin work, resistance to progress, and "check the box" mentalities. When we make space for conversation with suppliers, we allow them the opportunity to share their expertise and allow ourselves the opportunity to more deeply understand the apparel system, barriers to progress, and our own role in moving the needle. Our new Code of Conduct centers collaboration with suppliers. The document opens with a note from LIVSN Founder @agdabney explaining our intentions. Along with the Code of Conduct, each supplier receives a self-assessment in which they go through each standard and note whether they are in compliance, plan to be in compliance within 12 months, or are unable or unwilling to comply within 12 months. For any standard that the supplier is not currently in compliance with, they share details on why they are not currently compliant and how they plan to reach compliance. From there, we work directly with suppliers to overcome barriers to compliance in ways that are financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable. We’ve been pleased to see suppliers take these standards seriously and trust our partnership enough to be transparent throughout improvement periods. This sort of collaboration across the supply chain is critical to solving the social and environmental crises that plague the apparel industry. P.S. IT SHOULD BE NORMAL Read the Code of Conduct here: https://lnkd.in/gWpjG9nP