Workwear Group tops the COVID Fashion Report list as the only uniform provider

The COVID Fashion Report, which this year takes the place of Baptist World Aid Australia’s annual Ethical Fashion Report, has been released this week. The report assessed 96 Australian, New Zealand and international companies, representing 428 brands, on specific positive actions taken amid the coronavirus pandemic. Workwear Group, Australia’s leading uniform provider, not only appeared in the top tier of meeting the outlined commitments, it is the only uniform business to make the list at all, placing it alongside brands including Country Road Group, David Jones, Kathmandu and Kmart.

Speaking of the company’s inclusion in the report, Prashant Billimoria, General Manager Finance, Supply Chain and Sourcing said, “We are so proud to have topped the COVID Fashion Report in 2020. This commitment is something Workwear Group and its team members are passionate about and will continue to invest in for the betterment of all communities. The achievement proudly reinforces Workwear Group’s commitment to ethical sourcing, and its continuous focus on supporting the workers of the factories where the garments are sourced.” 

Throughout the pandemic, the imperative of survival has pulled many companies back to a focus on core fundamentals. The central assertion of Baptist World Aid Australia and Tearfund New Zealand’s ethical fashion advocacy has been that the wellbeing of the workers who produce the garments that fashion companies sell must be considered a core priority. Survival is critical, but it should not be achieved on the backs of the most vulnerable workers. 

The Ethical Fashion Report is the most comprehensive of its kind for Australia and New Zealand. Typically the report highlights fashion brands’ transparency and demonstrable practices around treatment of workers, and the environment, through extensive surveying, consultation and examination of publicly available materials, giving brands a score from F to A+. 

The report looked for evidence of brands’ support of workers’ wages by honouring their commitments to suppliers; companies’ ability to identify and mitigate the risks of Covid-19; their processes around listening to the voices of their workers through the supply chain; the provision of fair and healthy working conditions; their ability to collaborate with external groups to protect vulnerable workers; and finally, their intention to “build back better” for both workers and the environment. 

The 6 commitments include:

• Support workers’ wages by honouring supplier commitments
• Identify and support the workers at greatest risk
• Listen to the voices and experience of workers
• Ensure workers’ rights and safety are respected
• Collaborate with others to protect vulnerable workers
• Build back better for workers and the world 

Doug Swan, GGM of Workwear Group AU commented "I’m very proud Workwear Group topped the COVID Fashion Report as the only uniforms business to make the list in 2020. Our commitment to suppliers and their workers throughout a year like no other is a strong statement of what Workwear Group and our team members live and breathe. Our social responsibility by doing the right thing by our people, community and environment and commitment to ethical sourcing is paramount for the future of our industry and the environment for the generations to come."

The full report is available here: https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/2020-covid-fashion-guide/