In a major embarrassment that raises serious questions about Rip Curl's garment sourcing practices, a Fairfax Media investigation can reveal that workers at a the Taedonggang Clothing Factory near the North Korean capital Pyongyang were contracted to make some of Rip Curl's 2015 winter range of clothing.
The clothes were shipped to retail outlets and sold with a "made in China" logo on them in a practice unions and non-governmental organisations say is likely to involve other large Australian clothing brands.
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Rip Curl has blamed one of its subcontractors for the practice.
Workers in North Korea are routinely exploited. North Korean defectors have told investigators from NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, that employees are forced to work long hours with minimal or sometimes no pay. Workers who do not obey orders are imprisoned in work camps.
After Fairfax Media sent Rip Curl photos of its garments being made in North Korea, the company's chief financial officer Tony Roberts released a statement that said the firm "takes its social compliance obligations seriously".
"We were aware of this issue, which related to our Winter 2015 Mountain-wear range, but only became aware of it after the production was complete and had been shipped to our retail customers.
