"Brands ‘fail to pay workers living wage’ – report", 7 November 2025

The vast majority of global fashion brands fail to ensure supply chain workers are paid living wages, according to new analysis by the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI).

The BSBI study, based on data from fashionchecker.org, examined 219 companies across 28 countries, assessing each on supply chain transparency, payment of living wages, action plans, public commitments and disclosure of freedom of association.

It found that 213 out of the 219 companies were found to pay less than a living wage, with only six reaching the minimal threshold of paying 1–25% of workers a living wage.

No companies achieved the highest categories for wage provision, and just five brands were noted as having concrete action plans in place, according to the report...

The BSBI report concludes that while progress has been made on transparency —particularly in Germany — widespread failure to pay living wages presents an ongoing ethical challenge that the global fashion industry must address.