Willow
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Australian brand of coolers and kitchen bins.
There's no proof Willow 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 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 timber and cotton) 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
These are its parent group's countries across all its brands; Willow doesn't say where its own products are made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Willow is a Décor range; Décor says the majority of its products are made in Melbourne by a local manufacturer under a 10-year contract, with some made in China under its supervision, but gives no shares and Willow product pages give no country of origin. Owner Marlin Brands' modern slavery statements describe supplier questionnaires and in-person audits of overseas suppliers resumed in late 2024, with no substantive issues found, but publish no audit results, supplier list or wage commitments.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Owner Décor Corporation is covered by the Brando Aus HoldCo (Marlin Brands) modern slavery statement signed August 2025, which reports suppliers in China and South-East Asia and no substantive issues found. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's reports cover fashion and electronics, not housewares brands like Willow. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Willow Good Time Cooler 25L (Woolworths) · search the archive · Willow coolers sold by Woolworths in Australia
Published by Willow or its owner
- Willow range (Décor) · search the archive · Willow is a Décor collection of coolers, cooler jugs and bins; brand founded in 1887
- Australian Made (Décor) · search the archive · Décor acquired Willow in 2018; claims over 68 years of local manufacturing
- Help & FAQs (Décor) · search the archive · Majority of Décor products made in Melbourne by a contracted local manufacturer, some in China; owned by Marlin Brands since 2019
- Brando Aus HoldCo Modern Slavery Statement (signed August 2025) · search the archive · Covers Décor Corporation; suppliers in China and South-East Asia; audits resumed late 2024; no substantive issues found
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Willow ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/willow, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Willow.