Forcast
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Sydney womenswear label selling workwear, dresses and knitwear.
There's no proof Forcast pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- 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.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not 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 and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From product labels; Forcast doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | 14% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | 11% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | 6% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- 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.
- Uses leather in only a few products and doesn't show where it comes from. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Forcast says it works only with manufacturers that share its values and keeps long-term relationships with them, but it names no factories or production countries and publishes no supplier list, modern slavery statement, audit results or living wage commitment. It is not in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report. In 2010 it said it made garments in China and Australia; resale listings show China-made dresses, and its site says only that garments are pressed in Australia, so China is shown without a share. It sells cotton pieces and a few leather belts and suede shoes, with no material origins given.
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Retail growth forecast for women's brand (Ragtrader, 2010) · search the archive · Managing director Paul Chea; Forcast manufactures its garments in both China and Australia (2010)
- NWT Forcast Stella Off-Shoulder Midi Tiered Dress (eBay listing) · search the archive · Forcast dress listed with country of origin China
- Oakley Cotton Tie Shirt Dress by Forcast (THE ICONIC) · search the archive · Forcast sells cotton garments
- Forcast womens dress size 4 fit flare red (eBay listing) · search the archive · Second Forcast dress listed with country of origin China
- Noah Suede Cage Sandals by Forcast (THE ICONIC) · search the archive · Forcast sells a small number of suede shoes alongside its mainly clothing range
Published by Forcast or its owner
- About Forcast · search the archive · Designed in Sydney; 30+ boutiques; textiles sourced worldwide; works only with manufacturers aligned with its values; garments pressed locally
- Forcast product catalogue · search the archive · Accessories include leather belts (e.g. Empire Leather Belt)
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Forcast ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/forcast, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Forcast.