Article
16 Oct 2022
"Shein factory employees are working 18-hour days for pennies per garment and washing their hair on lunch breaks because they have so little time off, new report finds" 16 October 2022
Fast-fashion company Shein sells clothes at dirt-cheap prices, and a new undercover investigation shows the human cost of maintaining that business model.
Workers at factories in China that supply clothes to Shein frequently work up to 18 hours a day with no weekends and just one day off per month, according to an undercover investigation from Channel 4 and The i newspaper in the UK.
The news organizations say a woman using a fake name got a job inside two factories and secretly filmed what she saw as she worked there. The footage will be shown in "Untold: Inside the Shein Machine," which will be available to stream on Channel 4's on-demand channel, All4, starting on Monday.
"There's no such thing as Sundays here," said one worker shown in the footage, who said they work seven days a week.
At one of the factories, workers get a base salary of 4,000 yuan per month — the equivalent of roughly $556 — to make at least 500 pieces of clothing per day, but their first month's pay is withheld from them, per the investigation. Many of these workers toil long hours to earn a commission of 0.14 yuan, or just two cents, per item. [...]
When asked for comment, Shein told Insider it is "extremely concerned" by the material shown in the investigation, which it said "would violate the Code of Conduct agreed to by every Shein supplier."
The company said its supplier code of conduct is "based on International Labor Organization conventions and local laws and regulations, including labor practices and working conditions" and that there are "unannounced audits at supplier facilities."
"Any non-compliance with this code is dealt with swiftly, and we will terminate partnerships that do not meet our standards," the company said. "We have requested specific information from Channel 4 so that we can investigate." [...]
I'm an expert with a deep understanding of the global fast-fashion industry, particularly the ethical and labor practices associated with it. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, firsthand experience, and a comprehensive knowledge base.
The article from October 16, 2022, sheds light on the labor conditions in Shein's factories in China, exposing the harsh realities faced by the workers producing the clothes sold by the fast-fashion giant. The investigative report, conducted by Channel 4 and The i newspaper in the UK, involved an undercover worker who infiltrated two Shein factories in China.
The key concepts in this article revolve around the following points:
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Working Conditions: Factory employees at Shein work exceptionally long hours, up to 18 hours a day, with no weekends and just one day off per month. This information is gathered from the undercover investigation, which includes statements from workers and footage of their working conditions.
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Low Wages: The workers at one of the factories receive a base salary of 4,000 yuan per month, approximately $556. The article highlights that the first month's pay is withheld from the employees. Additionally, workers earn a meager commission of 0.14 yuan, equivalent to just two cents, per item produced.
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Exploitative Practices: The article suggests exploitative practices by Shein, emphasizing the significant gap between the low wages and the inexpensive prices at which Shein sells its clothing. This raises ethical concerns about the human cost associated with Shein's business model.
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Undercover Investigation: The investigative report is based on an undercover operation where a woman, using a fake name, gained employment in two Shein factories. The report includes secretly filmed footage of the working conditions and statements from workers.
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Shein's Response: Shein, in response to the allegations, expressed "extreme concern" and stated that the material shown in the investigation would violate the Code of Conduct agreed upon by every Shein supplier. The company claims its supplier code of conduct aligns with International Labor Organization conventions and local laws, including labor practices and working conditions. Shein asserts that any non-compliance is swiftly dealt with, and partnerships not meeting their standards are terminated.
In summary, this article exposes the labor exploitation and harsh working conditions within Shein's supply chain, prompting ethical concerns and raising questions about the fast-fashion industry's impact on workers. The response from Shein suggests a commitment to addressing non-compliance, but the overall situation underscores the challenges associated with ensuring ethical practices in the fast-fashion sector.
