Globe
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
Melbourne skate footwear, apparel and skateboard brand.
Globe's parent, Globe International, scored 16/100 in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, and there's no proof it pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
Better-graded footwear
Graded higher than Globe, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Globe? Send a right of reply.
Compare Globe with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, unaudited production in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 16/100 in 2024, for the company it's rated with). 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 rights85% of its products are made in countries such as China and India, 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) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 16/100 (2024, the company it's rated with)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
These are Globe International's countries across all its brands; Globe doesn't say where its own 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 | 61% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 13% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Bangladesh | 11% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | 6% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Vietnam | 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Mexico | 3% | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | under 1% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | under 1% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | under 1% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | under 1% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
| Fiji | 1% | We don't have labour ratings for this country yet. | ||
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- 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 Globe does not say where its shoes and clothing are made; its skateboards and trucks are made at the DSM woodshop in Shenzhen, China. Parent Globe International reports its Tier 1 suppliers across all brands are mainly in China (59%), India, Bangladesh, the USA, Vietnam, Mexico and Fiji, but gives no breakdown by brand and publishes no supplier list. It asks high-risk suppliers for SEDEX membership or a recent social audit, though 16% of those factories had neither in 2025. Its supplier code requires only legal minimum wages and it has no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Problem found | Parent Globe International, which owns the Globe brand, scored 16 out of 100 in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, well below the 31.3 average. (2024 edition; latest is 2026) View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Covered by Globe International's modern slavery statement; in 2025 its Tier 1 suppliers were 59% in China, 12% India and 10% Bangladesh, with 16% of high-risk factories lacking a current audit. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Globe International - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2024 Ethical Fashion Report score 16/100; Globe listed as a group brand; most products made in China (2024 edition; latest is 2026)
- Globe International Ltd 2023 Annual Report (ASX) · search the archive · 'Most of Globe's products are manufactured in China, the USA and Mexico'; products 'primarily sourced from China and Mexico'; interest in manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen
- Globe International (Wikipedia) · search the archive · Globe sells shoes, apparel and skateboards
Published by Globe or its owner
- Globe International Modern Slavery Statement (year to June 2025) · search the archive · Group Tier 1 suppliers by country: China 59%, India 12%, Bangladesh 10%, USA 6%, Vietnam 4%, Mexico 3%, Fiji 1%; no brand split; 16% of high-risk factories unaudited (read 18 Oct 2026)
- Globe International Modern Slavery Statement (year to June 2022) · search the archive · 94 Tier 1 suppliers, 55 in China; living wage research only a future goal; no supplier list
- Globe International Ethical Sourcing Policy (Dec 2024) · search the archive · Wages must meet local legal minimums; no living wage clause; APSCA audits and SEDEX for high-risk suppliers
- Globe International - History · search the archive · Globe shoes started in 1994 as a proprietary brand of the group
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Globe ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/globe, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Globe.