TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. The extent to which "outworking" and other subcontracting
methods used in the Australian garment industry impose working conditions
on outworkers and their families which do not meet accepted standards
of fairness and equity, particularly with regard to:
- (a) all aspects of remuneration, including piecework rates, hours
of work, leave entitlements and training, as well as comparison with
conditions that apply to on site garment makers;
- (b) all aspects of working conditions and their occupational health
and safety implications, including delivery times for orders;
- (c) the extent to which children aged under 15 are involved in outworking
and the effect this may have on their education, health and general
well-being;
- (d) the extent to which aspects of outworking may result in a breach
of any laws, either by the employer or the outworker and their family,
particularly in relation to employment conditions and the proper reporting
of payments made or received for work completed;
- (e) contract policies and procedures between retailers, subcontractors
and outworkers and whether these practices run contrary to any international
conventions, for example the International Labour Organisation; and
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2. Steps which could be taken to address any deficiencies identified
in paragraph (1) and any other matter which, in the opinion of the Committee,
is relevant to the issue of whether outworkers and their families are
exploited by existing conditions of employment.