Appendix 3 - Homeworkers Code of Practice
CONTENTS:
Part 1 Retailers agreement
Part 1A Retailers agreement for members
of the Australian Retailers Association
(ARA)
Part 2 Manufacturers, Wholesalers,
Warehouses & Fashion Houses agreement
SCHEDULES
Schedules attached to Part 2 of the Code detail
the reporting, contract, statutory declarations, letter to homeworkers as all
requirements to be fulfilled by signatories to the Code Part 2. The licensing
fee and details of the standard product specifications manual (sewing time
manual) are in principal agreed to but still to be developed and established.
The schedules are integral in the content and working of the Code part 2.
HOMEWORKERS
CODE OF PRACTICE
PART 1 RETAILERS
AGREEMENT between
The
Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and
The
Council of Textile and Fashion Industries Ltd and
The
Australian Chamber of Manufacturers and
The
Australian Business Chamber
PARTIES
The
TCFUA
The
Council of the TFIA
The ACM
The ABC
Individual
companies who are signatories to this Agreement.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES REGARDING
HOMEWORKERS WAGES AND CONDITIONS
- The
parties to this Statement of Principles believe that homeworkers in the Textile
Clothing & Footwear Industry should not be exploited in the wages and
conditions they are entitled to by their employer.
- Consequently,
the parties agree that employees should not get paid less than the appropriate
Award skill level rate or the product rate calculated on the loaded Award skill
level rate in the Clothing Trades Award as of March 1997 and as amended by the
changes in the wage rates.
- The
parties wish to promote the public view that manufacturers conform with these
standards. Manufacturers who do conform may be entitled to place on each
product manufactured an indication of their compliance.
- The
parties wish to promote the public view that retailers who purchase products
which conform with this agreement may demonstrate to their customers their
commitment by an identifying sign or other indication of compliance.
- Retailers
will require their suppliers in their purchase contracts, to undertake to
comply with all the laws and regulations, including the payment of the rate
specified in 2, relevant to the engagement of homeworkers.
Further,
the retailers who are signatories to this agreement will provide quarterly to
the TCFUA in writing, the names and addresses of all suppliers given orders to
make products consistent with this statement, for sale by retailers.
- It
is agreed that the Union shall have the responsibility of enforcing compliance
with this Statement of Principles.
Where
the Union has cause to believe that there is a case of exploited homeworkers
they will inform the manufacturer and relevant retailer.
- The
retailer will investigate the case with its supplier, giving a fair opportunity
for the manufacturer to demonstrate that it is complying with this statement.
If
it is proven that the supplier has not complied, the retailer will act in
accordance with its commitment not to sell products which have been produced by
exploited labour. This will include cancelling the affected purchase contract
and/or terminating the relationship with the supplier.
- It
is agreed that the retailers and manufacturers will contribute to a public
campaign to tell manufacturers, suppliers and homeworkers the terms of this
statement, the obligations of the award and the code of practice.
- Nothing
in this agreement shall be construed to take away any legal rights of the parties
or any employee and shall not be a basis for discriminating unfairly against
any employer which conforms with the agreement.
- This
Agreement will be for an initial two (2) year period of operation.
SIGNATORIES PART 1
Signed
by
..............................................................
on
behalf of The Textile Clothing and
Footwear
Union of Australia
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Council of The
Textile
and Fashion Industries Ltd
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Australian Chamber
of
Manufacturers
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Australian Business
Chamber
APPENDIX - PART 1
The
following company has agreed to become a signatory to this Agreement.
SIGNATORIES
Signed
by
............................................................
Name
.................................................
Position...............................................
on
behalf of the Textile, Clothing and
Footwear
Union of Australia.
Date....................................................
Signed
by
....................................................................................
Name...........................................................................
on
behalf of
Company
Name .........................................................
Position.......................................................................
Date...............................................................................
PART
1A
AUSTRALIAN
RETAILERS ASSOCIATION (ARA) AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXTILE, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
UNION OF AUSTRALIA.
HOMEWORKERS CODE OF
PRACTICE -
RETAILERS AND TCFUA
THIS CODE OF
PRACTICE RELATES TO THE ELIMINATION OF EXPLOITATION OF HOMEWORKERS
15 AUGUST 1997
|
- The parties to this
Code believe that homeworkers in the TCF Industry should not be exploited in
the wages and conditions they are entitled to by their employer.
- Consequently, the
parties agree that employees should not get paid less than the applicable Award
rate.
- Retailers will
require their TCF suppliers, in their purchase contracts, to undertake to
comply with all the laws and regulations including applicable Awards, relevant
to the engagement of homeworkers.
- It is agreed that the
TCFUA (the Union) shall have the responsibility of enforcing compliance with
the Award. However, all parties shall be responsible for ensuring compliance
with this Code.
To assist the Union the
ARA will compile, from information received from individual retailers, a list
of the names and addresses of all TCF suppliers given orders to make products
consistent with this Code for sale by those retailers. In accordance with the
following procedure the ARA will provide to the Union on request the names and
addresses of each retailer on its list dealing with a supplier nominated by the
Union:-
- The Union will
designate an officer from each Branch for contacting the ARA and individual
retailers for information.
- The ARA and each retailer will designate
a person to be contacted by the designated union officer.
- On being contacted by the designated
officer of the Union, the ARA will provide the name(s) and address(es) of the
retailer(s) and a contact name of a designated person within each retailer
which is listed with ARA as dealing with a supplier named by the union officer.
- The designated union officer may then
contact the retailer(s) named for assistance in investigating a breach of the
Award. It is recognised that the Union Officer, if he/she is aware that a
certain brand is sold by a retailer and is aware of the contact name in that
retailers business, may contact the retailer directly.
- The retailer will only
act on the Union Officers request for assistance if the Union Officer can
reasonably demonstrate to the retailer that there is a suspected breach of the
Award.
- Any names and contacts provided by ARA
linking a supplier with a retailer and any information given by a retailer to
the Union shall be provided on a confidential basis and is to be used for the
sole purpose of assisting the Union in ensuring compliance with Awards.
- On being satisfied by the Union that there is a provable
case of exploitation the retailer will investigate the matter with its supplier
giving a fair opportunity for the supplier to demonstrate it is complying with
this Code within time lines agreed to between the retailer and the Union.
- If it is proven that the supplier has not
complied, then the supplier will be expected to take the necessary measures to
comply with this Code.
- In the event that the supplier still does
not comply, the retailer will act in accordance with its commitment not to
purchase products produced by exploited labour and where legally possible
terminate the affected purchase contract along with other unfulfilled existing
contracts with that supplier (Providing such contracts were entered into before
the operative date of this Code). All other contracts entered into after the
operative date of this code will include an enabling clause that the retailer
will act in accordance with its commitment to this code.
- If there is a dispute
between the retailer and the Union as to whether exploitation has occurred the
matter shall be referred for resolution under a process to be agreed between
the ARA and the Union.
- The parties may wish
to promote the public view that manufacturers conform with these principles.
Manufacturers which do not conform with these principles may be entitled to
place on each product manufactured an indication of their compliance with this
Code. In those instances where the label is a retailer’s label, identification
must be by arrangement with the retailer.
- The parties may wish
to promote publicly that retailers conform with this Code. These retailers may
demonstrate their commitment by a uniform identifying sign or other agreed
indication of compliance to these principles.
- It is agreed that
none of the parties to this Code will engage in any negative publicity
involving a retailer over a particular issue of exploitation while the retailer
is investigating a claim of exploitation and the processes in the Code are
being followed.
- Nothing in this Code
shall be construed to take away any legal rights of the parties or any
employees and shall not be a basis for discriminating unfairly against any
employer which conforms with the Code.
- The Code shall
operate for a period of 12 months from the (agreed date of commencement to be
inserted) and shall remain in operation until renegotiated or terminated by
either party. The code is to be signed by the TCFUA and the ARA on behalf of
their member retailers who have agreed to be party to the code. A list of said
retailers will be attached to this code as an appendix.
Signed...................................................
(National President of the
Textile, Clothing and Footwear
Union of Australia) |
Signed ..........................................
(Chief Executive Officer
Australian Retailer Association) |
HOMEWORKERS CODE OF PRACTICE
PART 2
SUPPLIERS, FASHION HOUSES, WHOLESALERS
& MANUFACTURERS.
CLAUSE 1- AGREEMENT between
The
Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and
The
Council of Textile and Fashion Industries Ltd and
The
Australian Chamber of Manufacturers and
The
Australian Business Chamber
CLAUSE 2- PARTIES
The TCFUA
The Council of the TFIA
The ACM
The ABC
Individual companies who are signatories to this
Agreement.
CLAUSE 3- OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Agreement include:
- to
end exploitation of Homeworkers
- to
enable homeworkers to clearly understand their employment entitlements
- to
ensure homeworkers receive their appropriate award entitlements and legislative
protection
- to
establish a system of accreditation for Manufacturers who comply with this
Agreement.
-
to
assist Homeworkers by supporting, consistent with this Agreement, community
and industry education securing compliance with this Agreement and promoting
its purpose.
CLAUSE 4 - DEFINITIONS
“Accreditation” means a system of accreditation
where by a Manufacturer may indicate that it complies with the terms of this
Agreement.
“Standard Product Specifications” means the
product specification sheets that display a description and sketch of each of
the three possible levels of complexity of a product (or part thereof), the
sewing time and the rate to be paid to the Homeworker for sewing each product
category as per schedule 9.
“Accreditation Register” means the register of
accredited manufacturers held and maintained by the Code of Practice Committee.
“Supplier/Fashion house/ wholesaler” means a
party that agrees to manufacture or arrange to manufacture products and /or
components thereof.
“Manufacturer” means a manufacturer that
manufactures or arranges the manufacture of products.
*
“Manufacturer” the term manufacturer is used
throughout this document where the word manufacturer appears it refers to and
is inclusive of supplier, fashion house & wholesaler.
“Contractor” means a person engaged to produce
or arrange the manufacture of products.
“Homeworker” means a person who sews products in
a private dwelling or in premises other than a registered factory.
“Level of complexity” is the categorisation of
each ABS product group into simple medium or complex degree of difficulty in
sewing the product.
“Products” means the whole or part of any male
or female (including children’s) garment or any article of wearing
apparel. It is the intention of the parties to expand the definition of
product to encompass all items manufactured by parties to this Agreement.
“Rate per product” is the rate calculated using
the appropriate Award skill level rate under the Clothing Trades Award 1982,
loaded for Annual Leave; Annual Leave Loading and Public Holidays X the GSD (or
other similar agreed method of measurement) minute value determined for the
appropriate level of complexity for the relevant classification of product
within the ABS product category.
“Relevant Award” means the Clothing Trades Award
1982 as at March 1997 and as amended from time to time to provide increases in
wages and conditions as approved by the AIRC.
“Workers Compensation” means workers
compensation as prescribed by the relevant state legislation.
“Relevant Superannuation Fund” means the
Australian Retirement Fund, or such other fund as may be agreed to by the
TCFUA.
“Standard Statutory Declaration” means a
statutory declaration as set out in Schedule 4 and 5 of this Agreement.
The standard statutory declaration in schedule 4
refers to manufacturers who contract only to contractors and do not directly
give work to homeworkers.
The standard statutory declaration in schedule 5
refers to manufacturers and contractors who give work directly to homeworkers.
Completion of one or both of these standard
statutory declarations is necessary for a manufacturer to acquire
accreditation.
CLAUSE 5- CODE OF PRACTICE COMMITTEE
There shall be a committee comprising an equal
number of representatives from the TCFUA and a combined group of
employers party to the Agreement. Decisions of the Committee shall be
made by a majority vote. The maximum size of the committee shall be six.
The duties of the committee shall be to take
whatever steps may be necessary to ensure compliance with this Agreement,
including:
- accreditation of
manufacturers
- withdrawing a
manufacturers accreditation
- holding and maintaining
the Accreditation Register of accredited manufacturers
- confirming a retailer’s
entitlement to accreditation where it establishes that it is only dealing with
accredited manufacturers
- allocating monies from
the Education Publicity and Compliance Fund
- settling any disputes
that may arise in relation to the operation of this Agreement. This may
include the participation of an independent mediator, where agreed.
- establishing processes
and procedures to rapidly and efficiently deal with issues which come before it
in particular those which require mediation.
- Developing standard
product specifications (to be a schedule to this agreement, schedule 9 refers
to the process for development of this product specifications manual) through
the establishment of an expert working party, which will report to the Code of
Practice Committee.
*Where the committee cannot resolve a dispute
the matter will be referred to the agreed independent mediator for resolution.
CLAUSE 6- ACCREDITATION
The Code of Practice Committee shall confer
accreditation on a manufacturer which establishes by way of standard statutory
declarations (see schedules 4 & 5) that it complies with all of the
following criteria:
- The homeworkers who are
engaged on the sewing of its products are paid the appropriate rate per product
calculated on the appropriate loaded Award skill level hourly rate.
- The homeworkers receive
a minimum workload per fortnight which is the equivalent of the number of
products that could be sewn in 30 hours, and a maximum workload per fortnight
which is the equivalent of the number of products that could be sewn in 76
hours.
The Homeworker cannot be
required to work Saturday or Sunday or beyond 7.6 hours in any one day, unless
the homeworker chooses to do so.
- The homeworkers are
covered by workers compensation.
- The homeworkers receive
appropriate superannuation contributions paid on their behalf into the relevant
superannuation fund.
- Where work is no longer
available for a period, the homeworkers are given appropriate written notice of
their termination.
- The maintenance and
provision of records in accordance with Schedule 1.
- The provision of a
standard letter on union membership in accordance with Schedule 7.
The parties agree that compliance with these
criteria is consistent with full adherence to the relevant Award
provisions and legislative obligations.
Where accreditation is conferred on a
manufacturer, that manufacturer will be entitled to be known as an Accredited
Manufacturer and licensed accordingly.
An Accredited Manufacturer shall be entitled to
affix to its products a label indicating (in a form of words decided by the
Code of Practice Committee) that they have been made by an Accredited
Manufacturer.
Any party to the Code of Practice Committee has
the right to raise concerns and seek to review the accreditation of any
manufacturer at any time.
The Committee may determine to cancel the
accreditation of an Accredited Manufacturer provided that the Committee shall
give twenty-eight (28) days notice to the Accredited Manufacturer before
cancelling its accreditation.
If within the twenty-eight (28) days, the
Accredited Manufacturer presents to the Committee reason why the accreditation
should not be cancelled, the Committee may rescind its determination.
The Committee will consider a manufacturer’s
entitlement to accreditation on an annual basis. Re accreditation will be
automatic based on the provision of updated standard Statutory Declarations,
unless it can be demonstrated that the manufacturer does not have a
satisfactory compliance record.
Any party to the Code of Practice Committee has
the right to raise concerns regarding incidents of contractual arrangements
between retailers and manufacturers which do not enable the appropriate award
rate to be paid in accordance with this agreement.
CLAUSE 7- OBLIGATION ON ACCREDITED MANUFACTURERS
A manufacturer is entitled to accreditation only
if it complies with this Agreement.
The accredited manufacturer shall, on the
request of the TCFUA within 7 days provide the TCFUA all details of the name
and address of any homeworker which the accredited manufacturer is using in
manufacturing the products.
Each accredited manufacturer who arranges for a
homeworker to manufacture products must satisfy itself that the homeworker is
receiving:
- the appropriate rate per
product based on the appropriate loaded Award skill level hourly rate
- a minimum workload per fortnight
which is the equivalent of the number of products that could be sewn in 30
hours and a maximum workload per fortnight which is the equivalent of the
number of products that could be sewn in 76 hours.
The Homeworker cannot be
required to work Saturday or Sunday or beyond 7.6 hours in any one day, unless
the homeworker chooses to do so.
- appropriate workers
compensation protection
- appropriate
superannuation contributions
-
appropriate
written notice upon termination
- the standard letter on
union membership in accordance with Schedule 7.
Each accredited manufacturer who arranges for a
homeworker to manufacture products must satisfy itself that all required
records are maintained and are capable of being provided in accordance with
Schedules 1 and 2.
Where an accredited manufacturer uses a
contractor to make products the manufacturer shall, on the request of the TCFUA
within 7 days provide to the TCFUA all details of the name and address of any
contractor which the manufacturer is using in manufacturing the products.
Where an accredited manufacturer uses a
contractor to make products the accredited manufacturer shall ensure that their
contract includes clauses setting out these obligations, as contained in
Schedule 3. In addition take whatever steps may be necessary to inform the
contractor that the contractor is obliged to afford the homeworkers whom the
contractor uses the following:
- payment of the
appropriate award skill level rate per product
- a minimum workload per
fortnight which is the equivalent of the number of products that could be sewn
in 30 hours and a maximum workload per fortnight which is the equivalent of the
number of products that could be sewn in 76 hours.
The Homeworker cannot be
required to work Saturday or Sunday or beyond 7.6 hours in any one day, unless
the homeworker chooses to do so.
- workers compensation
coverage
- superannuation
contributions
- appropriate written
notice upon termination
-
the
maintenance and provision of records in accordance with schedule 2
-
the
standard letter on union membership in accordance with schedule 7.
The contractor shall be required to establish to
the Manufacturer, through the provision of a signed standard statutory
declaration, as per schedule 4 that the contractor is fully complying with these
criteria.
Where the manufacturer intends to use a
contractor to make products, the manufacturer will ensure that the contractor
has completed the standard statutory declaration, as per schedule 4, prior to
being given the contract.
An accredited manufacturer shall, within 7 days
of engaging a contractor to arrange for the making of products, ensure that the
contractor compiles a list of names and addresses of all homeworkers whom the
contractor proposes to engage in the making of the products. Upon receiving a
request from the TCFUA the accredited manufacturer shall ensure that the list
is provided to the TCFUA within 7 days.
At the time of giving work to a contractor, an
accredited manufacturer will inform the contractor of the level of complexity
of the products to be sewn and the appropriate rate per product which the
contractor must pay to the homeworker as per the standard product
specification(s).
Where the TCFUA gives written notification to an
accredited manufacturer that a contractor is in breach of this Agreement, the
accredited manufacturer shall, within 14 days of the notification, investigate
the alleged breach and report its findings to the TCFUA and the Code of
Practice Committee.
If the accredited manufacturer’s report confirms
a breach of this Agreement by a contractor, the accredited manufacturer shall
cease further commercial dealings with that contractor unless and until the
contractor has remedied its breach of the Agreement within 14 days.
If it is shown to the reasonable satisfaction of
the Manufacturer that a Homeworker has not been paid in accordance with this
Agreement, the Manufacturer must pay that Homeworker the amount due and deduct
that amount from the payment otherwise due to the Contractor, where such
payment to the contractor is still outstanding.
CLAUSE 8- LICENSING
The Code of Practice Committee shall register
and maintain whatever trademarks, logos or other identification items it deems
appropriate to promote compliance with the Award and this Agreement.
The Committee shall enter into a licensing
arrangement with any manufacturer who is accredited in accordance with this
Agreement to become a licensee.
The Committee shall enter into a licensing
agreement with a licensee according to Schedule 8 (Fee Scale) of this Agreement.
A Licensee shall be entitled to:
- affix to their products
the registered trademark, logo or other identification;
- affix to their place of
business, premises or any other thing the registered trademark, logo or other
identification;
- promote their compliance
with the Award and their acceptance of this Agreement
CLAUSE 9- ACCREDITATION OF RETAILERS
A retailer may promote that it is only dealing
with accredited manufacturers who do not exploit homeworkers, by seeking
accreditation from the Code of Practice Committee. Such accreditation shall
be automatic provided the retailer can establish to the Committee evidence that
those manufacturers, with which the retailer deals, possess current
accreditation.
CLAUSE 10- EDUCATION, PUBLICITY AND COMPLIANCE
FUND
Contributions shall be made to this Fund by the
parties to this Agreement on the following basis:
- contributions in kind by
the TCFUA;
- contributions from
manufacturers, through payment for licenses;
- financial assistance
from State and Commonwealth Governments.
All parties agree that they will make
representations to the Federal Government for funds to be provided to assist in
activities associated with this Agreement.
For the period up to 30 June 1998, direct funds
shall be allocated on the following basis:
- the initial $300,000
shall be paid to the TCFUA for compliance activities in accordance with 1
below;
- the next $100,000 shall
be directed towards education and publicity activities in accordance with 2
below;
- the next $50,000 shall
be directed towards the development of product specification standards and
other Code of Practice Committee costs;
- In the event that
$450,000 is not available by 31 March 1999 the parties will have discussions as
to the scheduling of payments. The parties will have further discussions as to
the allocation of funds, if available funding falls below $450,000;
- 50% of any additional
income, to a maximum of $400,000, shall be directed to the TCFUA for compliance
activities.
- COMPLIANCE
The TCFUA shall have the responsibility for enforcing compliance with this Agreement.
Compliance activities, consistent with this Agreement, shall include:
- identifying incidents of
non compliance to the Award and/or this Agreement;
- securing
compliance through the promotion of this Agreement;
- ensuring
the Award compliance by non signatories to this Agreement;
- ensuring
compliance with this Agreement by signatories.
- The TCFUA will report
annually on compliance activities, funded under the Education, Publicity and
Compliance Fund.
- EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY
Education and Publicity
activities supported by this Fund will be for the purposes of educating
homeworkers, contractors, manufacturers, retailers and the community about the
operation and purposes of this Agreement.
CLAUSE 11- RECORDS TO BE KEPT
Any records required to be kept under this
Agreement shall be preserved, by accredited manufacturers and their
contractors, for a period of 6 years.
The TCFUA may inspect any records required to be
maintained under this Agreement.
The TCFUA shall be given copies, if requested,
of any records required to be kept under this Agreement.
CLAUSE 12 - OPERATION
This Agreement shall commence on
.........................and the parties agree to review its operation within
18 months of its commencement.
Accreditation of Manufacturers shall commence
on.........................
The Agreement shall be reviewed upon any of the
parties withdrawing from the Agreement and giving to each other party not less
than 3 months written notice of its intention to do so.
CLAUSE 13 - AMENDMENT
This Agreement may be amended by agreement of
all the parties to it.
SIGNATORIES
TCFUA
TFIA
ACM
ABC
Individual
Companies
SCHEDULE
1
RECORDS
TO BE KEPT BY THE MANUFACTURER
An Accredited Manufacturer must keep the
following records in connection with any order of products from a Retailer and
provide them on written request to the TCFUA, within 7 days:
- name
of the Retailer;
- ACN
number, if any, of the Retailer;
- address
of the Retailer;
- For Homeworkers
used by the Manufacturer for the making of products the following records:
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Starting date
- Notice given
- Termination date
- Hours per fortnight
- Total monies paid (gross, tax (where applicable) net)
- Tax file number (where applicable)
- Superannuation payments and fund name.
- Contracts,
if any, made between the Manufacturer and any Contractors and in relation to
each such Contractor;
- the
name of the Contractor;
- the
address where the work is to be performed and the address of the Contractor, if
the work is to be performed elsewhere;
- the
date of the Contractor’s Contract;
- the
date for delivery of the products provided to the homeworker and/or contractor
and the date for the completion of the work under the Contract;
- product
specification
- a
description of the nature of the work to be performed (including construction,
seam type, finishing and fabric type) for the work concerned;
- a
description and sketch of the products to be made, including the level of
complexity and sewing time;
- the
price to be paid to the homeworker for each item of the garments to be made;
- the
number and type of products to be made;
- the date for
delivery to the Manufacturer.
SCHEDULE
2
RECORDS
TO BE KEPT BY THE CONTRACTOR
A Contractor must keep the following records in
connection with any order of products from an Accredited Manufacturer and
provide them on written request to the TCFUA within 7 days:
- name
of the Accredited Manufacturer
- address
of the Accredited Manufacturer
- the
Contract between the Manufacturer and the Contractor
- the
date of the Contract
- For
homeworkers used by the Contractor for the making of the products the following
records:
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Starting date
- Notice given
- Termination date
- Hours per fortnight
- Total monies paid (gross, tax (where applicable), net)
- Tax file number (where applicable)
- Superannuation payments and fund name;
- Contracts,
if any, made between the Contractors and any other Contractors and in relation
to each such Contractor;
- the
name of the Contractor;
- the
address where the work is to be performed and the address of the Contractor, if
the work is to be performed elsewhere;
- the
date of the Contractor’s Contract;
- the
date for the giving out of the work and the date for the completion of the work
under the Contract
- the
number and type of products to be made
- product
specification
- a description of the nature of the work to be performed (including construction,
seam type, finishing and fabric type) for the work concerned
- a
description and sketch of the products to be made, including their level of
complexity and sewing time
- the
rate per product to be paid to the homeworker for each item of the products
to be made
- the date for
delivery to the Manufacturer
- evidence
of payments made to individual homeworkers
- evidence
of appropriate superannuation contributions to the ARF
- evidence
of payment of appropriate workers compensation premiums
SCHEDULE 3
UNIFORM CLAUSES FOR
INCLUSION IN CONTRACTS
BETWEEN MANUFACTURERS
AND CONTRACTORS
- It
is a term of this Contract that any contractor must act in accordance with, observe
and do nothing to undermine the Agreement between the TCFUA, and
.................................................
- It
is a term of this Contract that any homeworkers used in the manufacture of
products referred to in this Contract shall be covered by the provisions of the
Agreement between the TCFUA, and ...........................................
designed to eliminate exploitation of homeworkers.
- The
Contractor must, in addition to his obligations under the Agreement, make and
retain for not less than 6 years and make available for inspection by the TCFUA
and/or ..................................at times reasonably required by the
TCFUA and/or .....................................person authorised by the
...................................... the records specified in Schedule 1 of
the Agreement.
- If a
Contractor breaches any provisions of the Agreement,
..................................shall cease further commercial dealings with
the Contractor unless and until the Contractor has fully remedied the breach of
the Agreement within 14 days.
- If
it is shown to the reasonable satisfaction of
.................................................... that a Homeworker has not
been paid in accordance with this Contract,
...............................................must pay that Homeworker the
amount due and deduct that amount from the payment otherwise due to the
Contractor where such payment to the Contractor is still outstanding.
- In
observing its obligations under the Contract, the Contractor must observe the
relevant provisions of any applicable Federal or State Acts and the Award.
SCHEDULE 4
STANDARD STATUTORY
DECLARATION FOR MANUFACTURERS
WHO GIVE WORK TO
CONTRACTORS.
STATUTORY DECLARATION
I, ............................................................................................................(Full
name)
of ..............................................................................................................................
(address)
do solemnly and sincerely declare as
follows:
I am the
.................................. of ....................................Pty
Ltd
(position)
company address
....................................................................................................
I have put in place with
every contractor this company engages either to manufacture products or arrange
the manufacture of products by engaging homeworkers a uniform clause in our
standard contracts as set out in Schedule 3 of the “Homeworkers Code of
Practice”.
Each of the contractors who supply
our company with goods has completed a Statutory Declaration as in
Schedule 6 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”.
The Statutory Declaration completed
by each contractor has been provided to me
and are available for inspection on
written request by the TCFUA within 7 days.
All
new contractors from this day on will be supplied with and asked to fill in a
Statutory Declaration as set out in Schedule 6 of the “Homeworkers Code of
Practice”.
The
names, addresses and dates of engagement of contracts with people I presently
supply work to is listed at Attachment 1 to this Statutory Declaration.
And
I make this solemn declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
(Cth) and subject to the penalties provided by that Act for making of false
statements in Statutory Declarations, conscientiously believing the statements
made in this declaration to be true in every particular.
....................................................................
Signature of person making the
Declaration
Declared
at in the State of
on this day of 199
Before me
..........................................................................
Signature of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
...........................................................................
Title of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
SCHEDULE 4
ATTACHMENT 1
Name Address Date
of Contact Phone
Contract Person Number
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
......................... ......................... ............... ....................... ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
........................ ......................... ............... ........................ ..............
(If there is insufficient space to list
all contractors please photocopy this sheet).
SCHEDULE
5
STANDARD STATUTORY
DECLARATION FOR MANUFACTURERS/CONTRACTORS WHO GIVE WORK DIRECTLY TO
HOMEWORKERS.
STATUTORY DECLARATION
I, ............................................................................................................(Full
name)
of ..............................................................................................................................
(address)
...............................................................................................................................
do solemnly and sincerely declare as
follows:
I am the
............................... of .......................................Pty
Ltd
(position)
I
supply work directly to homeworkers.
I
have read and examined the contents of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”
between the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and my company
............................. dated ....................
I have paid to each of these
homeworkers (doing the work referred to above) the
appropriate rate per product as
defined at Clauses 3 and 9 of the “Homeworkers
Code of Practice” (referred to
above)
I have provided to each of these
homeworkers, (referred to above) the minimum
workload per fortnight
defined at Clause 9 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice” as referred to above.
I have ensured that each of these
homeworkers is fully insured for workers
compensation insurance in accordance
with the requirements of the relevant
Workers Compensation Act.
I have paid to the Australian
Retirement Fund superannuation contributions on
behalf of each of these homeworkers
with the requirements of the Clothing
Trades Award 1982, or appropriate
award.
I have kept (in regard to each of
these homeworkers) records in accordance with
Schedule 2 of the “Homeworkers Code
of Practice”, and l will provide these records
to other parties in accordance with
Schedule 2 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”.
I have provided to each of these
homeworkers the standard letter (dealing with Union membership) contained
in Schedule 7 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”.
I have only terminated the services
of any of these homeworkers after providing
to them the appropriate written
notice upon termination in accordance with the
requirements of the Clothing Trades
Award 1982, or appropriate award.
And l make this solemn
declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 and subject to the
penalties provided by that Act for the making of false statements in Statutory
Declarations, conscientiously believing the statements contained in this
declaration to be true in every particular.
....................................................................
Signature of person making the
Declaration
Declared
at in the state of
on this day of 199
Before me
..........................................................................
Signature of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
...........................................................................
Title of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
SCHEDULE 6
STANDARD STATUTORY
DECLARATION FOR MANUFACTURERS/CONTRACTORS WHO RECEIVE WORK FROM ANOTHER
MANUFACTURER/CONTRACTOR
AND THEN SUPPLIES WORK
TO HOMEWORKERS.
STATUTORY DECLARATION
I, ............................................................................................................(Full
name)
of ..............................................................................................................................
(address)
...............................................................................................................................
do solemnly and sincerely declare as
follows:
I am the
............................... of .......................................Pty
Ltd
(position)
I
have received work from .......................... Pty Ltd. Orders to complete work to be
supplied to homeworkers.
I
have read and examined the contents of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”
between the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and .............................
Pty Ltd, dated ....................
I will hereafter pay to each of
these homeworkers (doing the work referred to
above) the appropriate rate per
product as defined at Clauses 3 and 9 of the “Homeworkers Code of
Practice” (referred to above)
I will hereafter provide to each of
these homeworkers, (referred to above) the minimum workload per fortnight
defined at Clause 9 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice” as referred
to above.
I will hereafter ensure that each of
these homeworkers is fully insured for workers
compensation insurance in accordance
with the requirements of the relevant
Workers Compensation Act.
I will hereafter pay to the
Australian Retirement Fund superannuation contributions on behalf of
each of these homeworkers with the requirements of the Clothing
Trades Award 1982, or appropriate
award.
I will hereafter keep (in regard to
each of these homeworkers) records in accordance with Schedule 2 of
the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”, and l will provide these records to
other parties in accordance with Schedule 2 of the “Homeworkers
Code of Practice”.
I will hereafter provide to each of
these homeworkers the standard letter (dealing with Union
membership) contained in Schedule 7 of the “Homeworkers Code of Practice”.
I will hereafter only terminate the
services of any of these homeworkers after providing to them the
appropriate written notice upon termination in accordance with the
requirements of the Clothing Trades Award 1982, or appropriate award.
And l make this solemn
declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 and subject to the
penalties provided by that Act for the making of false statements in Statutory
Declarations, conscientiously believing the statements contained in this
declaration to be true in every particular.
....................................................................
Signature of person making the
Declaration
Declared
at in the state of
on this day of 199
Before me
..........................................................................
Signature of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
...........................................................................
Title of person before whom the
Declaration is made.
SCHEDULE 7
Dear Homeworker
A landmark Agreement has recently been reached
between the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union and your employer that is
designed to eliminate the exploitation of homeworkers in the fashion industry.
This Agreement was achieved through your
employer working cooperatively with the union to develop a framework that will
ensure you receive your appropriate award entitlements and enjoy the
legislative protection of workers compensation coverage and superannuation
contributions.
Your employer considers that the Agreement is an
important initiative and welcomes the Union’s positive approach in working
towards a lasting solution to end exploitation.
The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia
(TCFUA) is the union which represents homeworkers in this industry.
Should you wish to join the TCFUA, an
application form for membership is attached for your convenience.
As your employer, I support TCFUA and you
joining that union and you will not be discriminated against if you do so.
The Agreement is presently being implemented.
You will soon receive information on how its operation will benefit you.
Yours
sincerely
SCHEDULE 8
LICENSING FEE
The
fee to be paid by Accredited Manufacturers for licensing consistent with this
agreement is:
$2,000
per annum.
SCHEDULE 9
STANDARD PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL
Process
for development of the Standard Product Specifications Manual.
The
Homeworkers Code of Practice Committee (HCOPC) agrees to a process which will
entail HCOPC agreeing to a number of actions in the development of a Standard
Product Specifications Manual which will be used as a basis by the TCF
employers for the payment of wages to outworkers, and for the HCOPC to use as a
tool to assess accuracy of wages paid to outworkers in any dispute situation.
These actions are:
- Develop a
submission for Federal Government funding for the development of the Standard
Product Specifications Manual.
- Acquire a
“General Sewing Data” (GSD) software program and employ a consultant to
undertake a GSD study of TCF products covered by the Homeworker Code of
Practice.
- Employ a
consultant to undertake a Time and Motion Engineering study of TCF products
covered by the Homeworkers Code of Practice, and to develop standard product
specifications for each product using data acquired through “GSD” and “T&M” studies.
- Consultant will
trial draft standard product specifications both in an in-house situation using
machinists and technology in a number of factories, as well as trailing them
with a number of outworkers working with their technology in their private
dwellings.
- The draft
standard product specifications will then be refined and presented to the HCOPC
for endorsement.
- A library of
information will be developed by the consultant to form the Standard Product
Specifications Manual for final endorsement by the HCOPC.
SIGNATORIES PART 2
Signed
by
..............................................................
on
behalf of The Textile Clothing and
Footwear
Union of Australia
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Council of The
Textile
and Fashion Industries Ltd
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Australian Chamber
of
Manufacturers
Signed
by
................................................................
on
behalf of The Australian Business
Chamber
APPENDIX - PART 2
The
individual company that has agreed to be a signatory to this Agreement.
SIGNATORIES
Signed by
..........................................................
on behalf of the
Textile, Clothing and
Footwear Union
of Australia.
Name.................................................
Position..............................................
Signed by
............................................................
on behalf of
Name..................................................................................
Company
Name...................................................................
Position...............................................................................
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