(https://cleanclothes.org/ le-repository/underpaid-in-the-pandemic.pdf) How can we be sure all workers are paid what they are owed? There need to be fair, inclusive, objective, and transparent processes for verifying eligibility for and disbursement of wage payments, supported by brands. The process should cover all workers whether employed, furloughed, dismissed, or terminated, and workers should be paid through wage slips that reinforce employment relationships. For factories that are reopening, payroll review combined with transparency will be critical. Brands are strongly encouraged to do this collectively; for example, through: Identi cation of common suppliers and determination of lead brands to undertake joint investigations (for example through payroll review) to determine the amount of wages and bene ts left outstanding; Setting up a means of sharing information between brands, and of taking collective action to improve liquidity, ensure nances are available, and to monitor whether these are used for actual wage payments; and Determining a means for cost-sharing that can be applied across suppliers when workers are still not being paid. What does "wages and bene ts” mean? Wages include legally mandated remuneration, including overtime and bonuses. Bene ts include sickness, parental leave, severance, and termination bene ts. Shouldn't brands and retailers focus on ensuring workers receive a living wage? Yes, they should. But given the very desperate circumstances of garment workers who are not even receiving the poverty wages they were promised, the rst priority is to get workers their current regular wages and bene ts, even though these cover only about one third of what is needed to meet the basic needs of themselves and their families. Currently many workers are getting reduced wages or nothing at all. Providing the legally owed wages and bene ts to workers in their supply chains is the minimum rst step brands should take immediately to ensure workers can survive. What is meant by a “Severance Guarantee Fund” ?