Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
Brand of cordless power tools and robotic mowers.
There's no proof WORX pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it doesn't name the factories its amfori BSCI audits cover.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 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 3 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 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- 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
From WORX's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories. Its list covers only part of its range. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | 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 |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | 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.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes WORX tools are made by its parent Positec, a Chinese manufacturer whose UK arm says products come mainly from the group's own operations in China and that all group manufacturing sites have BSCI and Sedex social audits. No factory list, audit results, wage data or living wage commitment are published, and the only modern slavery statement found covers 2020.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Positec UK's statement for 2020, the latest published, says products come mainly from Positec Group in China, whose manufacturing sites have BSCI and Sedex audits; no cases reported. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No modern slavery statement from Positec's Australian business was found on the Australian register. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Power tools are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion or Electronics reports. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Positec (UK & Ireland) modern slavery page (Kress) · search the archive · Same 2020 statement still the published version
- WORX 20V 6A Max PowerShare battery charger - Mitre 10 · search the archive · WORX products sold by Mitre 10 in Australia
- The CEO Magazine: interview with Positec's Don Gao · search the archive · Positec is headquartered in Suzhou, privately held family business; 'Today we have all our manufacturing in China'; brands WORX, Rockwell, Kress
Published by WORX or its owner
- Positec (UK & Ireland) Modern Slavery Statement 2020 · search the archive · Products sourced mainly from Positec Group in China; BSCI and Sedex audits at all group manufacturing sites; no cases; no living wage
Company details
- Headquarters
- China
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is WORX ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/worx, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent WORX.