Labour Lens

Funkita

Lacks transparency

Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.

Clothing & footwear

Partly verified: what this means

Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources

Australian brand of chlorine-resistant swimwear for women and girls.

There's no proof Funkita 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 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, 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.

How grades are decided

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 rightsMost of its products are made in China, 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
  • Met: High-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range

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 press and retailer reports; Funkita doesn't say where its products are made.

Where it's made, and conditions there
CountryWorker rightsLegal minimum wageForced labour risk
ChinaNo guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageModerate

Evidence

What we found

  • No high-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
  • Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
  • Uses recycled metals or fibres

Research notes Funkita does not say where its swimwear is made. Founder Duncan McLean said in 2008 it was made at a factory in China near the Hong Kong border, and the COSH! index says the garments are made in China from fabric made in Italy, with working conditions in China unclear. Its C-Infinity polyester is partly recycled from plastic bottles. Way Funky publishes no factory list, audits, living wage commitment or modern slavery statement, is not ECA accredited and has no Ethical Fashion Report rating. No labour abuses have been reported.

Sources and actions

Sources 5

Show all 5 sources
  1. Ethical Clothing Australia - search for Funkita · search the archive · No accredited business or brand found for Funkita
  2. Diving into business the funky way - SmartCompany (2008) · search the archive · Founder says the swimwear is made at a factory in China near the Hong Kong border; four employees in 2008
  3. Funkita - COSH! brand index · search the archive · Fabrics made in Italy, garments made in China; recycled polyester from plastic bottles; working conditions in China unclear
  4. Funkita True Bluey one piece - Allens Swimwear · search the archive · 100% polyester Eco C-Infinity fabric milled in Italy; no country of garment manufacture given

Published by Funkita or its owner

  1. The Way Funky Company · search the archive · Australian swimwear company running Kiargo, Funky Trunks and Funkita; no sourcing or ethics information

Company details

Headquarters
Australia
Last researched
3 November 2026
Cite this page
Labour Lens, "Is Funkita ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/funkita, 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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