Empowerment
We know each of our seamstresses by name, they earn a living wage and are given support to build a bright future for themselves and their families. They are the reason we do what we do.
While we began as a means for victims of sexual exploitation to engage in safe, dignified employment as they rebuilt their lives, we have since widened our doors to accept employees from varying backgrounds of vulnerability.
With a holistic approach to supporting our staff based on the four pillars of training, opportunity, a living wage, and education, we have proven that a sustainable career path is the key to true social change in not only the lives of our staff but their families and communities.
Unlike a traditional production facility, our seamstresses are trained in every element of the jean-making process. Over a period of approximately two years our trainee staff enrol in a program of cross-training and upskilling to gain a deep knowledge in the areas of cutting, finishing, and sewing.
With demonstrated proficiency, our seamstresses are given the opportunity to progress their careers at Outland Denim.
A living wage ensures workers have enough income to afford a decent standard of living, to cover their necessary expenses, such as food, housing, healthcare, education and discretionary items, and allows them to save for unexpected events.
For many of our staff, this level of financial security is freedom in itself. Freedom from worry. Our staff can send their children to school, provide for extended family, and plan for the future.
Our staff participate in education and personal enrichment programs tailored to support them and their families. Current education programs include budgeting, women’s and infant health, computing skills, human trafficking awareness, English, and self defence.
Beyond the staff at our cut-make-trim and laundry facilities, we endeavour to ensure our entire supply chain is free from slavery and exploitative practises. We work with suppliers who meet our stringent criteria for the treatment of people, animals and the environment.
We don’t believe clothing should create poverty or exploit people; we believe it can be a solution to some of the great social evils that exist in the world today.
At this moment in history, an estimated 40.3 million people are trapped in slavery worldwide, with 24.9 million in forced labour. Of these, 16 million people are exploited in the private sector such as domestic work, construction, manufacturing or agriculture; and 4.8 million persons are in forced sexual exploitation.
Furthermore, $354 billion of products at risk of modern slavery are imported by G20 countries, with garments accounting for $127.7 billion.
We work with stakeholders globally, from leading universities to government bodies and the UN Global Compact Network, to affect industry-wide change in fashion supply chains to eradicate slavery in all its forms.
But we believe that the solution starts on a micro-level, with our own company.
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