Lisa Singh

This week I have written to John King, the new CEO of Myer, congratulating him on his appointment and setting him a challenge for Mother’s Day 2018.

I have challenged Mr King to sign the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, on behalf of Myer.

The Accord was developed in response to the Rana Plaza building collapse where the 1100 people killed and over 2000 people injured had been making Australian clothes.

Eighty percent of the 75 million people who make the clothes Australians buy and wear are women – many of them mothers – between the ages of 18 and 35.  

Many of these women live in poverty, suffering exploitation and abuse while earning as little as the equivalent of 40 Australian cents an hour.

Myer is an iconic Australian department store with the purchasing power to demand ethical treatment of garment workers.

The lack of transparency and slavery in supply chains of big companies is what led the Labor Party to push for a Modern Slavery Act to ensure Australia is at the forefront of the fight against modern slavery.

Australian companies like Cotton On, K-Mart Australia, Target, Pacific Brands, Woolworths Australia and the Workwear group have moved to sign the Bangladesh accord, which is designed to build a safe and healthy garment industry.

So this Mother’s Day I call on Myer to start ensuring the garments it purchases are made ethically and transparently.

It would be Mother’s Day gift that truly supports communities in Australia and around the world.

FRIDAY, 11 MAY 2018

MEDIA CONTACT:  TAIMUS WERNER-GIBBINGS 0429 820 344

Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra