The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) has taken legal action against 29 clothing companies, accusing them of violating the Federal Clothing Trades Award (FCTA). The legal action has been taken to ensure that companies act in accordance with the industry award, which itself will be under threat if the government's proposed industrial relations reform goes ahead. 

According to the union, approximately 300,000 outworkers in Australia earn wages as low as A$2 or A$3 and work in poor conditions, where a 15-hour day is common.

The 29 companies were also urged by activists to adhere to the voluntary Home Workers Code of Practice.