The fashion industry is built on exploitation—garment workers have lost over €11 billion in stolen wages and severance pay. Most have yet to be paid. Brands won’t act out of ethics, but they will respond to pressure. That’s where you come in!

These three modules will equip you with the tools, strategies, and tactics to take action in the Pay Your Workers campaign and beyond. From understanding wage theft cases to planning and executing high-impact actions, this is your guide to holding fashion brands accountable.

Module 1: Introduction to (Fashion) Activism

Why do we fight? Because brands steal wages from the workers who make their products. The Pay Your Workers campaign uses strategic actions to highlight wage theft cases and push brands to sign the binding Pay Your Workers agreement. This module explains the theory of change behind the campaign, showing how pressure from activists can force companies to pay up.

You’ll learn how naming and shaming brands can make wage and severance theft a public issue. The module includes real-world cases where workers have fought back and won, proving that actions speak louder than words. It also introduces the difference between strategies and tactics, helping you understand how activists organize for impact.

This is the foundation. To take action, you first need to understand the problem and the power you have to change it.

Module 2: How to Plan an Action

Change doesn’t happen spontaneously. Every effective action is built on research, strategy, and careful planning. This module guides you through the entire process of organizing an action, from selecting a target to executing a well-coordinated plan.

It starts with choosing a target: a brand’s headquarters, a store, a distribution center, or a public event. Understanding where decision-makers are most vulnerable allows activists to apply the right kind of pressure. The module walks through creating clear action demands, forming a coordination group, considering legal implications, and developing a timeline.

Tactics are at the heart of direct action. This module explores different approaches, from high-visibility protests like banner drops and store disruptions to more creative actions like hoaxes and projections. It also covers the essential roles needed for a successful action, from media spokespersons to police liaisons, ensuring everyone knows their responsibility.

The goal is to make brands feel the pressure financially and publicly - so they have no choice but to act.

Module 3: Co-Creating Action

This module focuses on bringing your action plan to life. Once you have a target, demands, and tactics, the next step is to refine and execute your strategy. You’ll learn how to structure an action, determine what roles are needed, and anticipate responses from brands, bystanders, and authorities.

It includes a step-by-step guide on how to coordinate an action, from choosing the right slogan to planning logistics. It also dives into specific action tactics, including: event disruptions, flash mobs, picket lines, store occupations, and public outreach through flyering and postering.

At the end of this module, you will have a concrete action plan ready to be put into motion.