Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Brisbane womenswear label.
There's no proof Sabo 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) 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
Sabo names some of the countries it makes in: China. 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 |
| 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 |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| 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
- 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 Sabo designs its collections at its Brisbane headquarters and says the people who make its clothes work in China, without naming factories or giving a share. It says its factories follow a code of conduct, are audited and uphold freedom of association, and that all workers are paid a living wage or above, but it names no auditor and publishes no supplier list, audit results, wage data or modern slavery statement, and is not rated in the Ethical Fashion Report. Its main fabrics are cotton and linen, with no stated cotton origin; OEKO-TEX Standard 100 covers chemical safety, not labour. No labour abuses linked to its suppliers have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No modern slavery statement is registered under the Sabo or Sabo Skirt name. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Australian Modern Slavery Register search: sabo · search the archive · No modern slavery statement registered under the Sabo name.
- Sabo expands retail footprint into Sydney (Ragtrader) · search the archive · Brisbane-based, founded by Yiota Kouzoukas and Thessy Batsinilas; designs made in-house in Brisbane; stores about 10% of revenue.
- Sabo brand profile (Disco Brands) · search the archive · Ownership remains with the founders; range designed in-house at its Brisbane headquarters; no manufacturing locations given.
- Sabo opens Bondi Junction store (Greek City Times) · search the archive · Began as a blog in 2011, ships to over 200 countries, designs every piece in Brisbane; no manufacturing locations given.
Published by Sabo or its owner
- Our Impact - Sabo · search the archive · Workers in Australia and China; says factories audited to a code of conduct and living wages paid; main fabrics cotton and linen.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Sabo ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/sabo, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded everyday fashion
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 Sabo.