Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 5 sources
Sydney fashion house selling designer womenswear under Aje and Aje Studio.
There's no proof Aje pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Aje? Send a right of reply.
Compare Aje with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record: the most serious problem on its record (unpaid or underpaid wages, last recorded in 2025) was found by its own checks and is being fixed.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
- Checks its own supply chain. Aje looks for problems in its own supply chain and publishes what it finds. It found unpaid or underpaid wages in 2025 and unpaid or underpaid wages in 2024 and is fixing them, so they don't count against the grade. They're listed below under Confirmed issues.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, India and Indonesia.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
China has the largest share, 90%. India is next, at 8%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 90% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Indonesia | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Aje's clothing is made by independent suppliers: its FY25 modern slavery statement lists 50 Tier 1 manufacturing partners employing over 10,000 workers, about 90% in China, 8% in India and 2% in Indonesia. All suppliers have third-party audits through Sedex, but audits found excessive overtime at most sites and a third of findings fully resolved. A living wage pilot covers one Bali workshop only, and there is no public living wage target or supplier list. Aje scored 36/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, up from 26 in 2024 and above the 31.5 average.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Listed | Scored 36 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), up from 26 in 2024; Aje completed the survey. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Files annual modern slavery statements; the FY25 statement reports 50 Tier 1 manufacturing partners, about 90% in China, all third-party audited, with excessive overtime the most common finding. View |
Confirmed issues 2
Only confirmed problems are listed, and old ones drop off after 10 to 15 years. A problem the company has fully put right no longer counts against it, and nor does one it finds and is fixing itself. How problems are counted
| Last recorded | What happened | Made amends? |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aje's own FY25 modern slavery statement reports excessive overtime at about 57% of its supplier sites, along with delayed wage payments and worker accommodation concerns found in audits (Aje, 2025).Found and being fixed by the company Not counted against the grade while the company is actively fixing it, because it found and published it itself. | PartlyCorrective action plans focus on working hours and rest days; about a third of findings fully resolved, 11 sites put on hold (FY25 modern slavery statement). |
| 2024 | A review by consultancy Impactt of a long-standing Aje supplier workshop in Bali found problems with pay practices and workplace conditions (Aje modern slavery statement, 2024). Source · search the archiveFound and being fixed by the company Not counted against the grade while the company is actively fixing it, because it found and published it itself. | YesWages were raised in line with local living costs, the workshop relocated and all critical and major non-compliances closed (FY24 statement). |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Aje - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2024 Ethical Fashion Report score 26/100; manufacturing in China, India, Indonesia and Australia
- Ethical Fashion Guide 2026 (Baptist World Aid) · search the archive · 11th edition (2026): Aje, Aje Athletica and Aje Studio scored 36/100; company completed the survey
Published by Aje or its owner
- AJE Wholesaling Pty Ltd Modern Slavery Statement FY25 · search the archive · Manufacturing sites China 90%, India 8%, Indonesia 2%; 50 Tier 1 partners; 100% audited; excessive overtime at ~57% of sites; delayed wages
- AJE Wholesaling Pty Ltd Modern Slavery Statement FY24 · search the archive · Impactt review of Bali workshop found pay and condition issues; wages raised, site relocated, critical issues closed; Xinjiang sourcing banned
- AJE Wholesaling Pty Ltd Modern Slavery Statement FY23 · search the archive · Supplier Code based on ETI Base Code; Sedex audit requirement; Turkmen Cotton Pledge; traceable cotton plans
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Aje ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/aje, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded activewear
No activewear brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Aje.