gorman and dangerfield top oxfam’s 2021 naughty or nice list
See which brands will get a lump of coal from Santa this year.
Oxfam has released its updated Naughty or Nice list, which highlights whether some of your favourite fashion brands have made commitments to pay their workers a living wage (aka enough money to cover a family's basic essentials, including money for a rainy day).
Sadly, some brands have received a big red cross for their lack of commitments. Three big companies in particular – Lorna Jane, Myer and The Just Group – failed to do the bare minimum by publishing key info about where they manufacture their duds. As you’ve probably already guessed, these companies are on the naughty list this year.
Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain says it’s particularly disappointing that brands like Lorna Jane, which seemingly promote the wellbeing of women, aren’t transparent about where their clothes are made. “This supports a culture of secrecy that is harmful to the wellbeing of all women, including those who make our clothes, and entrenches the massive power disparity between brands and garment workers,” she says.
But it’s not all bad news. This year’s nice list includes Dangerfield and Gorman – a huge improvement since a few years ago – as well as Cotton On, H&M, Kmart, Target, David Jones, Forever New, Bonds, City Chic, Country Road, Mosaic brands, Big W and Best & Less. Meanwhile, Jeans West and Zara sit in the murky realm between naughty and nice – they’ve made some progress, but still have a fair bit of catching up to do.
Lyn says it’s time for Aussie brands to use their power for the better, by ensuring their workers (who are mainly women in low-income countries, by the way) are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty. “These women aren’t paid enough to build a better future for their children, because their low wages keep them in poverty,” she says. “This Christmas, we want shoppers to demand better from the brands they love so that our celebrations don’t come at the expense of the women who make our clothes and their families.”
To that we say: hear, hear! Head this way to have a gander at Oxfam's Naughty or Nice list.