Nobody Denim axes 40 staff, raising questions about its manufacturing future

afr.com:

Melbourne-headquartered fashion label Nobody Denim – founded by well-known rag trader John Condilis – has axed 40 garment workers at its owned manufacturing facility leaving questions over the viability of the premium denim maker’s production in Australia.

Mr Condilis is a director of the Australian Fashion Council, and chairman of Nobody Denim, which sells to The Iconic and David Jones. He also makes combat uniforms for the government, a contract he says can no longer be serviced.

John Condilis, chairman of Melbourne-based label Nobody Denim, says manufacturing in Australia is untenable.  

“Manufacturing in Australia has become the biggest challenge ever,” he said. “It’s the worst and the saddest thing I’ve ever had to do.

“We’re going through all the right processes to realise the assets to make sure that we do the right thing for all. It is impossible to run Australian manufacturing.”

Mr Condilis said “various options” were being explored to continue some outsourced local manufacturing and the brand Nobody Denim remains healthy. The company Denim 108 Pty Ltd, which makes clothing for Nobody Denim, has not filed financial accounts with the corporate regulator.

The CFMEU has filed for an urgent hearing in the Fair Work Commission, but the union’s textiles and clothing division national secretary, Jenny Kruschel, said Nobody Denim had not paid wages for 40 axed workers, or given them redundancy pay or their entitlements.

“While these workers want to work, the lack of clarity is not allowing them to seek Centrelink benefits, while they are desperately looking for other work. They’re in limbo and that is a very stressful situation for these skilled workers to be in,” said Ms Kruschel.

“We call on the company to make good