Leichhardt and Marrickville High Schools showed their commitment to ending the exploitation of clothing outworkers at the launch of the Fair School Wear campaign on March 9.

They have signed a Statement of Commitment committing their school to buying garments which have been made by workers receiving award wages and conditions free from exploitation.

The Statement says: "We will do this by:

"• determining whether our current suppliers have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice, seeking suppliers’ signatures in the event that they have not signed the code, and seeking an alternative supplier in the event that our current supplier shows no commitment to ending the exploitation of outworkers;

"• refusing to use suppliers who have violated the Homeworkers Code of Practice;

"• requiring information about where and how our uniforms are made;

"• supplying details of our uniform suppliers to Fair Wear."

Schools signing the Statement of Commitment receive a Fair School Wear certificate.

At the launch, Marrickville and Leichhardt High School representatives received certificates from NSW Industrial Relations Minister Jeff Shaw.

Mr Shaw said unrealistic deadlines often meant children became involved in assisting in the making of garments, disrupting their homework.

"The NSW Government has promised to do something to improve things for outworkers," he said.

The Government produced an issues paper in December 1999 titled "Behind the Label — the NSW Government Clothing Outwork Strategy".

The Department of Industrial Relations has been receiving submissions on the document and is currently working on legislation to put before State Parliament.

Fair Wear asks schools to be involved in the campaign by using suppliers who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice (or encouraging their current supplier to do so), by supplying Fair Wear with their uniform suppliers’ details, and by signing a Fair School Wear Agreement to show the school’s commitment to ending the exploitation of outworkers in the clothing industry.

Leichhardt High School’s uniform supplier, Lowes, has already signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice, an agreement negotiated between the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and industry groups.

Signing the code commits companies to paying fair and reasonable wages to the makers of their garments. Fair Wear encourages consumers to support retailers and manufacturers who have signed the code.

Deputy principal Josie O’Donnell said the school was aware it was possible students could be involved in cottage industry production and that would be exploitation.

"We as a school believe that is abuse of the rights of the worker and support proper processes for unionism and rights of the worker."

Fair Wear also encourages students to buy from suppliers who have signed the Homeworkers Code of Practice when purchasing school wear, but also other clothing.