Women & Community Empowerment
We know our seamstresses by name, they earn a living wage and are given support to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. They are the reason we do what we do.
We started as an avenue for victims of sexual exploitation to engage in safe, dignified employment as they rebuilt their lives, and have since widened our doors to accept employees from varying backgrounds of vulnerability.
We support our staff using the four pillars of training, opportunity, living wages, and education. Through this approach we have proven a sustainable career path is the key to lasting social change, both in the lives of our staff and their families and communities.
Our seamstresses are trained in every element of the jean-making process. Over two years, trainee staff enrol in a program of cross-training and up-skilling to gain a deep knowledge in the areas of cutting, finishing, and sewing. 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, cover 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. All things previously not possible.
Staff participate in education and personal enrichment programs to support them and their families. Education programs include budgeting, women’s and infant health, computing skills, human trafficking awareness, English, and self defence.
Beyond the staff at our own facilities, we ensure our entire supply chain is free from slavery and exploitative practises. We achieve this working only 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. To the contrary, we believe it can be a solution to some of the great social problems that exist in the world today.
With an $354 billion of products at risk of modern slavery imported by G20 countries, garments accounting for $127.7 billion, we will continue working 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.
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