Index

NEWSLETTER 13, NOVEMBER 2000 Real Wages

In June 2000 all of the CCCs agreed to try to update and expand the information we have on wages in the garment and sportswear industry. The following questions were circulated to our partners in countries where garments are produced. So far the response has been good and we've gathered quite a bit of information on what sort of wages garment workers are earning. But we are still eager to hear from any individuals or organizations who would like to contribute additional information. We plan to compile all the material we receive and produce a report on wages in the garment industry by the end of this year. The report will be a tool available for use in upcoming campaigns and to inform international discussions on the issue of wages and codes of conduct. Please send your responses to the following questions to: nead@gn.apc.org or info@cleanclothes.org

1. (a) What do workers earn, on average, including overtime? How often is overtime available? How many hours of overtime do workers do? What is the rate of pay for overtime?
   (b) On average, how much of this wage is spent on:
   • housing (please describe)
   • food - quantity and quality
   • clothes and other necessities · transport, healthcare, education
   • entertainment
   • savings, money sent to relatives
   • other (please give details)

Is this for a single worker or for worker with family or dependants? For how many dependants?

2. (a) What do workers earn when overtime is NOT available?
(b) On average, how much of this wage is spent on:

• housing (please describe)
• food - quantity and quality
• clothes and other necessities
• transport, healthcare, education
• entertainment
• savings, money sent to relatives
• other (please give details)

Is this for a single worker, or for a worker with family/dependants?
For how many dependants?

3. How much is the legal minimum wage? How often is it increased? Are the majority
of garment workers paid the minimum wage?

4. When workers are paid piece rate, do they on average earn the minimum wage, more than the minimum wage or less? Are garment workers you are in contact with paid an hourly rate or piece rate? Is the number of workers on piece rate increasing, decreasing or the same?

5. Do workers receive any benefits in the form of food, housing and transport - or subsidies towards these? Please give details.

6. How much, according to trade unions and NGOs, is a living wage? How is it calculated? How many people does it provide for? How many wages per family is it based on? How much does it allow for housing, food, clothes and other necessities, transport, healthcare, education, entertainment, insurance? How much does it estimate is needed for savings/discretionary income?

7. Do garment workers generally provide for family/dependants? Please give as much detail as possible.