Dear Friend,

‘I am not recognised as a worker’
J. Saytha, Homeworker, Tirupur 

Millions of women work as homeworkers – trimming, cutting and embroidering clothes and shoes in their homes or small workshops away from factories.  

Homeworkers are an integral part of the fashion supply chain. However, their existence is ignored by many of the big fashion brands, and they are often denied minimum wage, sick pay and maternity leave. We need your help to change this.

Call on ASDA, Boohoo, John Lewis, M&S, Primark and Sainsbury's to set policies recognising and supporting homeworkers in their supply chains. 

In Tirupur, India, homeworkers have joined together to form Anukatham, an all-women's collective fighting for the betterment of homeworkers.

“Because of ANUKATHAM, people have started recognising us and also there now contractors listen to us when we say something through [the group] as opposed to individual homeworker. I hope to get the [Government] benefits for homebased workers that any other workers would get”
K. Kavitha, Homeworker, Tirupur 

To improve working conditions, homeworkers need to be recognised by both the local Government and the international fashion brands who sell the clothes. 

Stand in solidarity with homeworkers and call on UK brands to recognise all the workers who make their clothes.

‘At home I can do both the household work and the textile work and feel independent, at factory I wouldn’t have felt the same’
R. Kalivani, homeworker, Tirupur  

Homeworking gives millions of women the opportunity to earn an income they would not have otherwise been able to. 

But because they are not recognised as part of the workforce, they don't receive a minimum wage and instead are paid per piece they complete.

Call on brands to set homeworker policies that ensure all their workers are paid fairly.

Many fashion brands recognise the homeworkers in their supply chains, but some of the biggest are lagging behind.

Together we can apply pressure for them to acknowledge the contribution that these hidden workers make. It's the first step to significant change.

Thank you for standing with homeworkers,

Ruth and the Transform Trade team.