Time and time again we've see the power of hashtags, and now we're hashtagging to stop the #Heartbreakers of Australia taking advantage of our overseas textile workers.
From vintage acid wash to biker vests, double-denim and your boyfriend’s jeans. We own it, wear it and we’ll buy more, guaranteed. But the country’s largest denim retailer, Just Jeans (and The Just Group in general) are breaking our denim-loving hearts by refusing to ensure that the people making our clothing have their most basic human rights protected.
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Eight out of ten of our biggest clothing retailers in Australia have signed the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, ensuring the safety of the workers who make the clothes we love. However, The Just Group, which includes Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Jacqui E, Peter Alexander and Dotti, is not one of them.
In 2013, 1,138 textile workers were killed and more than 2,000 injured when the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed. Since then, Oxfam has pressured the top Australian clothing companies to sign the accord, but have been faced with the refusal of The Just Group.
Coinciding with the launch of Australia's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Oxfam is urged The Just Group to jump on the bandwagon of ensuring safe working conditions for their workers. To do this, Oxfam is encouraging all denim-loving Australians join the Stop The #Heartbreakers campaign by visiting the Oxfam Australia Facebook page and tagging @justjeans when they share what is possibly the most amazing denim-clad image ever, featuring Norrie May-Welby, the western world's first legally gender-neutral person; Ollie Henderson, model and founder of social change fashion label House Of Riot; and Hazeem, Australia's loved convenience store owner.By showing them that no one likes a #Heartbreaker, you will be helping Oxfam urge the safety of the people involved with making our favourite denim. With the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster on the horizon, Oxfam hopes to take action by 24 April.
Demand justice for the workers who make your clothes. Sign the petition and join the campaign telling Australian companies to ensure safety for workers in Bangladesh.
