This is great work, but how far does it go? Are we offering these workers better conditions, or are we pushing them out of the labour market altogether?

Thank you for raising the issue of home-based cheap labour in Australia. Publicity for the grim conditions endured by Australia's outworkers is much needed. I'm reminded of the documentary 'Amongst Equals' made by Tom Zubrychki in 1991 which ACTU tried to ban. The film began with women working as poorly paid home workers for clothing industries in late 19th century Australia and ended with the late 20th Century where women were again (or still)working cheaply and for extremely long hours as outworkers making clothes to be sold expensively.

I'm sorry for the person that only gets paid $6. That's a shame, but it is reality. Let's face it, a garment must also pay advertisers, shop keepers, transport people, managers and be competitive with foreign goods.

I would recommend that the person begin small, but begin nonetheless to set up their own independent business, where they can be advertiser, shop keeper, manager and transportation. That's how small business works, by wearing many hats. Instead of making clothes for someone else's brand, invent your own.

Farmers call it value adding. In small business, we just call it being smart.