On Monday, September 27th, 2021, the Garment Worker Protection Act (SB62) was signed into California law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The passing of this worker-led piece of legislation is cause for celebration, as it will ensure that the over 45,000 garment workers sewing in California will receive at least a minimum wage for their labor — something which has not been the case for decades as makers struggled under a piece pay rate system that allowed brands to skirt responsibility and left the mostly BIPOC women demographic earning poverty wages. Some garment workers reported earning as little as $2.68 an hour — far below the state’s minimum wage of $14 an hour. This victory is a game-changer for the industry, as the bill’s joint liability clause will now hold brands liable for the fair and legal payment of their workers.
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Among the many supporters of this bill were the hundreds of sustainable fashion businesses and partnering organizations that supported it along the way; the Garment Worker Center members who rallied and spoke out against the injustices being committed on a daily basis in Los Angeles garment factories; California Senator Maria Elena Durazo, who co-authored the bill; and of course, Remake’s own ambassador community, who made endless calls to legislature.
If this campaign has proven one thing, it is the strength of citizen power — and this is only the beginning. The Garment Worker Protection Act is a blueprint for the entire fashion industry.
Find some of our favorite celebratory tweets below, and learn more about the bill’s history and details here.
Proud to have stood w/ my colleague & sister @SenMariaEDurazo as the Governor signed #SB62 into law today! Huge victory for all garment workers who bravely spoke up about egregious wage theft in the industry. Major fashion labels will no longer get away with paying poverty wages! pic.twitter.com/v90aQvzUC0
— Lorena Gonzalez (@LorenaAD80) September 27, 2021
#SB62 passed. I am speechless. It can’t be overstated how transformative this bill is for garment workers and for all of fashion. With real brand accountability, we will move this industry towards justice and sustainability. CA leads. Thank you @GavinNewsom & @JenSiebelNewsom
— Elizabeth L. Cline (@elizabethlcline) September 27, 2021
Breaking: #SB62 is signed into law. ?? @GavinNewsom for standing with the 46000 garment makers and making our State the frontier of sustainable fashion. This is a victory for garment makers worldwide. No longer can brands commercial practices steal from makers. https://t.co/MRsDBNi9fm
— Ayesha Barenblat (@abarenblat) September 27, 2021
HUGE victory today. Governor @GavinNewsom has signed #SB62! We are overwhelmed at this monumental moment. We’re thankful to the Governor for upholding his dedication to workers’ rights and ensuring that California will no longer be the sweatshop capital of America. pic.twitter.com/2YAgfjSfKh
— GarmentWorkerCenter (@GarmentWorkerLA) September 27, 2021
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