Many companies publicise the fact that they pay the legal minimum wage.
But do consumers know that minimum wages in garment-producing 
countries are not enough to survive on?

This basic question formed the basis of CCC Norway’s living wage project research on some 25 retailers from Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Norway. The results of the research were clear: little effort is made by these retailers to ensure that workers earn a decent living.
The retailers, which included H&M, Lindex, Dressmann and Bestseller, make up the bulk of the Norwegian market. Since none of the companies are willing to reveal their price policies, the Norwegian CCC had to figure out another way to get the debate started.

So it looked at a combination of information: companies’ wage policies as formulated in their codes of conduct; their turnover and profit; the countries they source from; and the minimum wage in those countries. Its subsequent report, Not Much to Live From, calls on companies to support a living wage.
The report received very good press coverage and kicked off a campaign which features an e-card action, discussions with trade unions and other organisations, follow-up on the retailers, street actions, speeches and input on the National Strategy on Decent Work Agenda.

Throughout the year, the Norwegian CCC will continue to put pressure on brands and retailers to take a more sustainable approach to business, and to make a living wage part of the political debate.  

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