Monos
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
Vancouver luggage brand selling suitcases and travel bags.
There's no proof Monos 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.
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 countries such as China and Cambodia, 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: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Monos names some of the countries it makes in: Canada, China and Cambodia. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Cambodia | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Canada | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
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 recycled metals or fibres
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Monos's modern slavery statement describes eight partner factories and suppliers without naming them: luggage and parts in China (some also in Cambodia), apparel in Vancouver, Canada, and drinkware and zippers in China. Listed certifications include WRAP, SMETA, Sedex and SA8000 at some sites, but one luggage factory has had no third-party audit and another's supplier oversight does not verify compliance. No factory names, audit results or country shares are published. Shells use recycled polycarbonate and trims use vegan leather.
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Monos becomes first B Corp-certified luggage brand in North America (Retail Insider, 2025) · search the archive · Shells recycled polycarbonate (RCS/GRS); 80% of suppliers signed code of conduct; says 99% of products ISO and SA8000 certified
- Best carry-on luggage in Australia (Arielle) · search the archive · Monos Pro carry-on sold to Australian buyers at AUD prices
Published by Monos or its owner
- Monos vs Rimowa · search the archive · Recycled polycarbonate shells, recycled linings and zippers, vegan leather accents, aluminium handles
- Monos - Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · Partner factories in China, Cambodia and Vancouver, Canada; certifications and audit status by partner
Company details
- Headquarters
- Canada
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Monos ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/monos, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded bags and accessories
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Monos.