What Price a Living Wage?: Implementation issues in the quest for decent wages in the global apparel sector

Miller, Doug and Williams, Peter (2009) What Price a Living Wage?: Implementation issues in the quest for decent wages in the global apparel sector. Global Social Policy, 9 (1). pp. 99-125. ISSN 1468-0181

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Abstract

This article sets out to examine ways in which a living wage might be implemented in the global apparel sector. We argue that an increase in the unit labour cost element of the free on board price paid by brands by a factor equivalent to the difference between the existing wage and a nationally determined living wage figure would not impact in any serious way upon retailer/brand-owner's (or supplier's) bottom line. However, the existence of fragmented and outsourced manufacturing, accompanied by aggressive buying practices, militates against `aspirational' code provisions in this area. Limited progress is possible only through substantial brand collaboration, an acceptance of collective bargaining through trade unions in supplier factories and, longer term, moves by brands and retailers to own and control their own manufacturing capacity.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	collective bargaining, fair trade, labelling, FOB prices general, living wage, ordinances trade unions
Subjects:	L400 Social Policy W900 Others in Creative Arts and Design
Department:	Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Design
Depositing User:	Ellen Cole
Date Deposited:	13 Dec 2012 16:57
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 22:30
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/10553

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