Marimekko
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Finnish design company known for bold printed fabrics.
Unsafe working conditions were documented in Marimekko's supply chain in 2013, which it has only partly put right.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Marimekko? Send a right of reply.
Compare Marimekko with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 4 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 (unsafe conditions, last recorded in 2013) is more than 5 years old.
- 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 4 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsA confirmed problem counts against it: unsafe conditions, last recorded in 2013
- 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listPublishes its supplier list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeTraced or certified: cotton. Only in a few products: leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Clear breaches of labour conditions
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From Marimekko's own disclosure: it publishes its supplier list. Its list covers only part of its range. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 27% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Thailand | 11% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Italy | Not given | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Portugal | 9% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Türkiye | 9% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Vietnam | 6% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 6% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Estonia | 5% | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
| Lithuania | 4% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Finland | 3% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| PolandUsual for the industry | 3% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Romania | 2% | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Passes the raw-material check for homewares and appliances: traces or certifies its cotton.
- Publishes supplier list
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- 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.
- Traces or certifies most but not all of its cotton. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes In 2025 Marimekko products were made in China (20%), Thailand (17%), Portugal (15%), Türkiye (14%), Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, India, Romania, Vietnam, Pakistan, Italy and Hungary, mostly by about 140 contract suppliers it names on its website and Open Supply Hub; it also runs its own fabric printing factory in Helsinki. All products from outside the EU come from audited suppliers, mostly under amfori BSCI. Its code requires a living wage, but it sets no living wage target and reports no wage data. Almost all its cotton is organic, recycled or Better Cotton, and it bans cotton from Xinjiang, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Marimekko lodges a modern slavery statement under the Australian Modern Slavery Act (2025 statement). View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Not rated in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report or earlier editions. View |
| News reporting and NGO investigations | Problem found | Finnwatch found poor safety and unpaid overtime at a Thai glassworks making Marimekko tableware in 2013. View |
Confirmed issues 1
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? |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | A 2013 Finnwatch investigation of a Thai glassworks near Bangkok making Marimekko bowls and plates found extreme heat, missing protective gear for glassblowers, too few breaks and unpaid overtime (ScandAsia, 2013). Source · search the archive | PartlyMarimekko said its own BSCI audit had found similar problems and agreed an action plan with the factory; no pay-back to workers was reported. |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Beautiful Marimekko and Iittala designs made in Thai sweatshop conditions (ScandAsia) · search the archive · Finnwatch 2013: heat, no protective gear, unpaid overtime at Thai glassworks making Marimekko tableware; action plan
Published by Marimekko or its owner
- Marimekko sustainability: people · search the archive · 2025 production: China 20%, Thailand 17%, Portugal 15%, Türkiye 14%, Estonia 8%, Lithuania 7%, Finland 5%, India 4%, others incl. Italy and Hungary 1%
- Marimekko Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2025 · search the archive · About 145 suppliers published; 100% of non-EU products audited, 82% amfori BSCI; Helsinki printing factory; Australian stores; 493 staff
- Human rights in the supply chain (Marimekko) · search the archive · Code requires a living wage; no living wage targets; about 140 contract manufacturers
- Marimekko Statement of non-financial information 2023 · search the archive · 2023 cotton: 57% Better Cotton, 29% organic, 9% recycled, 5% conventional; Leather Working Group member; leather in some bags
- Marimekko sustainability FAQ · search the archive · No cotton accepted from Xinjiang, Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan; suppliers report cotton origin yearly
Company details
- Headquarters
- Finland
- Employees
- About 490
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Marimekko ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/marimekko, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded bedding and textiles
No bedding and textiles 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 Marimekko.