Ethical LA brands and 40,000 garment workers need our help and support before the city’s budget cuts at the end of May.
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As rare as a ‘Made in the U.S’. is, there are still pockets of the country that are home to a thriving fashion district where garments are made. Los Angeles accounts for 83% of the country’s garment industry and hires an estimated 40,000 garment workers to cut, sew, and finish garments. With many of these workers from marginalized communities, it is the nonprofit and advocacy groups who work behind the scenes to ensure that fair labor standards and wages are upheld and LA brands and small businesses receive adequate support. This month, one of these organizations is at risk as The City of LA prepares to sign a new budget on May 22nd that includes massive job cuts to the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD).
Recognizing the impact these budgets cuts could have on thousands of people’s livelihoods, The Wellness Feed has used a template from the Garment Working Center to send a letter of support to the City Councilmembers on the Budget and Finance Committee to safeguard 8 essential positions from being slashed. We are one of the dozens of organizations conveying to the City: “Don’t axe 8 roles at EWDD. Instead, lend support to small enterprises and workers within the garment sector.”
Over the past 6 months, the Garment Working Center, local, ethical, and sustainable businesses, property owners including the Fashion District, and multiple city departments have been working to devise strategies on how the City can assist garment workers as well as L.A brands that prioritize ethics and sustainability. A significant number of these suggestions put forth hinge on roles within the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD). The group are asking for:
- A new position dedicated to economic development and real estate, assisting emerging and existing businesses to thrive and remain located in LA as well as to attract new businesses to LA in the garment and fashion industry.
- A new position dedicated to Workforce development to support upskilling and other support for workers in the garment industry.
- A WorkSource Center and Business Source Center pop up in the fashion industry to provide support to workers and businesses.
Adequate funding for these programs will help to protect a vital job market and the livelihood of tens of thousands. Safeguarding these employment opportunities and working with ethical LA brands to preserve fair standards and regulations will also ensure that “Made in America” meets fair labor standards and that labor exploitations will be less likely to occur. Other incentives include:
- Ensure garment manufacturers have the necessary space for their business to succeed and ensure workers can access jobs.
- Promote the High Road of Made in LA Garments.
- Support workforce development programs for the garment industry, including training in upskilling and advanced techniques.
- Provide access to incentives tied to workplace standards to create a fair environment, bolster the sector, enhance competitiveness based on quality, efficiency, and sustainability, rather than fostering wage exploitation.
- Provide access to educational resources needed to run a successful and compliant garment business.
What Can We Do As Consumers?
The Garment Working Center is a valuable source of information about advocacy efforts for sustainable LA brands and garment workers. If you’re an LA local, you can join them in one of their in-person events. If you’re based elsewhere within the U.S you can sign your name to their petition which is available in both English and Spanish.
