MC WELCOME

CLARE PRESS, SUSTAINABILITY-EDITOR-AT-LARGE, VOGUE AUSTRALIA & PODCASTER, WARDROBE CRISIS

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

MICHAEL WEST, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, METROPOLITAN LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL

PANEL

LEADERSHIP IN THE ERA OF ACCOUNTABILITY

ERICA BERCHTOLD, CEO, THE ICONIC | MARNIE GODING, CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ELK | MODERATED BY CLARE PRESS

What does it take to lead a fashion retailer in this era of increased expectations, hyper transparency and climate crisis? Stakeholders, from customers and suppliers to regulators and investors, are growing louder in their calls for bold leadership. Whether it be action on the climate crisis or returning value to garment workers, the ‘new normal’ is being defined by public commitments, bold targets, supply chain transformation and accountability.

Now more than ever, walking the walk is critical to business integrity.

How are business leaders turning these challenges into opportunities and rising to the expectations of the market? How are they navigating the tension between growth and sustainability?

Hear from three business leaders tasked with the responsibility of future proofing not only their companies but the futures of the people and the planet they rely on to trade.

IN CONVERSATION

LEADING BY DOING: IN CONVERSATION WITH NUDIE JEANS CO

SANDYA LANG, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, NUDIE JEANS (SWEDEN)

In the early 2000’s Nudie Jeans Co saw the value in using organic cotton and investing in supplier relationships.

Twenty years on, transparency, sustainable sourcing and longevity mark the brands focus.

Hear from Sandya Lang, Nudie’s Sustainability Manager on their strategy to continue to challenge the status quo, drive greater impact for the workers in their supply chain and build on their learnings to deliver on their commitment to reduce emissions.

Followed by a special announcement, a first for circular fashion in Australia!

KEYNOTE

THE SOLUTION IS IN THE SOIL

More information to come

BREAKOUTS STREAM 1

BK 1:FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION - FAIR COMPENSATION

RENEE BOWERS, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL COMPLIANCE, FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION, USA (VIA PRE-RECORD)

Fair wages are critical to the rights of workers yet the gap between minimum and dignified wages prevails. The Fair Labor Association is committed to fair compensation for workers and has developed a strategy and related tools to help companies make progress on this urgent issue.

The FLA’s fair compensation dashboard and wage data collection tool enables its brand members to see a factory’s average wage mapped on a wage ladder.

The tool calculates the average worker wage within a factory by recording information about specific components – base wages, incentive pay, in-kind benefits, and other aspects of worker pay – across several different job descriptions on a factory floor.

Attendees will be given a demonstration of how the dashboard enables brand affiliates of the FLA to upload wage data and compare this to regional living benchmarks and prevailing wages assisting them to work towards fair compensation for workers in their supply chain.

BK 2: RESPONDING TO THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS WHICH DELIVER WORKERS DIGNITY: ETHICAL CLOTHING AUSTRALIA

ANGELA BELL, NATIONAL MANAGER, ETHICAL CLOTHING AUSTRALIA

ELOISE BISHOP, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, DAVID JONES & COUNTRY ROAD GROUP

KATE BIELENBERG, RETAIL BRAND MANAGER, CUE CLOTHING CO

Retailers are increasingly looking for social and environmentally responsible products to meet rising customer demand with designers frequently being asked what efforts they are making in this space and how they can prove them.

In order for retailers to provide rigour to product claims and demonstrate best practice, independent third-party certifications and accreditations are being included in sustainability programmes.

One such accreditation which designers manufacturing in Australia can utilise is Ethical Clothing Australia whose mission is to ensure local garment workers receive their legal entitlements and work in safe conditions.

Attendees to this session will learn the value ECA accreditation delivers to workers in the Australian manufacturing value chain as well as the brand experience of the process itself. What does it involve in terms of timeline, costs and factory audits?

CUE Clothing Co will share their experience from a factory, brand and marketing level and the ins and outs of accreditation whilst David Jones will share their sustainability attributes programme, which is part of their broader Good Business Journey and why they see ECA as a credible attribute to support in its response to growing customer demand.

BK3: MODERN SLAVERY ACT: AN OPPORTUNITY

JUSTIN CUDMORE, MARQUE LAWYERS

The Modern Slavery Act – An opportunity for garment workers?

The reporting period for the Australian Modern Slavery Act has passed its half-way mark.

For those companies still to commence, this session will provide a refresh on the requirements to produce a compliant statement, the resources available to support the process and where The Australian act sits within the landscape of broader international transparency legislation.

The Modern Slavery Act represents more than just a statement though. Businesses reporting under the Act are required to put in place due diligence measures so they can identify and mitigate the risks of slavery in their supply chains. The effectiveness of such measures must also be reported on.

What does due diligence look like and how can brands use the legislation as an opportunity to engage more deeply with their staff and suppliers? Can it pave the way for investment in capacity building in their supply chains? Can the Act lead to a greater understanding of the root cause of the prevailing human rights issues in the garment industry and in so doing, embed more meaningful action?

Justin Cudmore, Partner at Marque Lawyers, a registered B Corporation, will demonstrate the opportunities to be had in reporting under the Modern Slavery Act which go beyond merely risk management.

BREAKOUTS STREAM 2

BK 4: NUDIE JEANS LIVING WAGE APPROACH

SANDYA LANG, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, NUDIE JEANS, SWEDEN

Nudie Jeans commenced their living wage journey in 2013 with a single final stage supplier. The program has since expanded to incorporate multiples suppliers, at further tiers of the supply chain, as well as brand collaborations at shared factories.

Attendees will learn the approach Nudie Jeans has taken to implement their living wage strategy including its successes and challenges.

Sandya Lang will share the methods by which living wage payments have been determined, Nudie Jeans’ engagement with Fair Wear Foundation’s living wage incubator and the role worker voice training has played in driving progress of the program.

BK 5: INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS

More information to come

BK 6: REMEDY & GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS FOR GARMENT WORKERS

MABEL WONG, SENIOR DIRECTOR, SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING ASIA PACIFIC, ELEVATE

KEYNOTE

BEYOND AUDIT: DRIVING CREDIBLE CHANGE THROUGH PROVIDING WORKERS A VOICE

GARY SHAW, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MANAGER, KATHMANDU

Giving workers a voice is imperative to the realization of human rights. Providing safe avenues to share concerns and speak up in confidence is often the missing link between a workforce feeling empowered to improve their livelihoods and those who feel disenfranchised by the system.

How can fashion brands support worker wellbeing in a credible way?

Gary Shaw, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, will share Kathmandu’s approach to transforming their value chain towards a partnership model based on transparency and trust.

Going beyond the standard audit approach and collaborating with suppliers, industry organisations, peers and governments, Gary will provide insights into the training programmes, grievance mechanisms and worker survey tools which Kathmandu utilise to drive tangible change for suppliers and workers alike.

One of only two Asia Pacific members of the Fair Labor Association, Gary will also share how this membership is furthering their collaboration efforts.

PANEL

HOW CAN WE ENSURE SOCIAL AUDITS PROGRESS WORKER RIGHTS?

AVEDIS SEFERIAN, CEO, WRAP | RONA STARR, PRESIDENT & CEO, APSCA

Social audits are the touchstone of many responsible sourcing programmes. How they can be most effective in upholding worker rights?

Providing a snapshot of factory conditions from which to further inform a brands sourcing strategy, how they are conducted and by whom will inform their quality and the value of information captured.

What can brands do to ensure the audits they receive are credible and represent the truth? Unlikely to detect instances of workplace harassment or forced labour, how can brands supplement audits to ensure their sourcing programs are robust and addressing all of these risks?

What about remediation? What skillsets do brands need to invest in to remediate issues, implement change and provide capacity building opportunities in their supply chains?