US garment industry to revive with reintroduced FABRIC Act

The FABRIC Act, which enjoys the backing of senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, is founded upon four central pillars. Firstly, it calls for the reformation of piece-rate pay structures, aiming to set the minimum wage as a baseline while also encouraging higher productivity through additional incentives. Secondly, the Act imposes new liability measures that compel major retailers to actively engage in combating workplace violations, fostering a safer work environment for all involved. The third pillar involves the inauguration of record-keeping and transparency initiatives, steps designed to foster a culture of accountability and openness in the industry. Lastly, to breathe new life into the US garment sector, the Act envisages the initiation of a Domestic Garment Manufacturing Support Programme. This comprehensive approach aims to revitalise the US industry, steering it towards a future that is both profitable and respectful of workers’ rights, according to a press release by the Office of Congressman Jerry Nadler.

The Act modifies the Fair Labour Standards Act of 1938, introducing a novel set of labour protections for the garment industry workforce. Among the primary provisions are the establishment of a $50 million per annum support programme administered by the Department of Labour (DOL) to enhance safety and address other pressing concerns; the prohibition of predatory piece-rate payment as a base pay, thereby insisting on at least a minimum wage payment; and the instatement of a new Undersecretary of Labour for the Garment Industry to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

In the wake of immense job losses in the sector, particularly affecting women who constitute 67 per cent of the workforce, this Act embodies a critical step toward a safer, more sustainable future for the US garment industry. Leveraging the support of more than 200 endorsements and insights from legal experts at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labour Relations, the FABRIC Act envisions a fortified industry with enhanced working conditions and economic rejuvenation, added the release.

“I’m reintroducing the FABRIC Act, a one-of-a-kind federal bill to thread the needle of protecting workers’ rights, putting an end to the misuse of piece-rate pay, and making historic investments in domestic garment manufacturing. Protecting the garment workforce has direct impacts on economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. It’s time to take bold action at the federal level to change the fabric of the American garment manufacturing industry so we can protect these vital workers and not only make American, but buy American,” said senator Gillibrand.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (NB)