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2022-10-16T20:38:26Z
- Workers who make clothes sold on Shein get as little as 4 cents for each item they make, according to a new investigation.
- They often work 18-hour days with one day off per month, Channel 4 and The i newspaper reported.
- Some workers even wash their hair on their lunch breaks because they have so little time left after work, according to the report.
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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.
Advertisem*nt 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. Advertisem*nt 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. At the second factory shown in the footage, workers don't have base pay but instead receive 0.27 yuan, or just under 4 cents, for each garment they make, the investigation found. Employees are hit with a fine amounting to two-thirds of their daily wages if they make even one mistake, according to the report. In one of the factories, female employees washed their hair on their lunch breaks because there is so little time left after work. 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." Advertisem*nt 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." Shein has grown to behemoth size in the fast-fashion industry, notching a $100 billion valuation in April, more than H&M and Zara combined. Though its clothes are often incredibly cheap, sometimes just a few dollars, customers often say their items break down very quickly, and designers frequently claim Shein copies their styles and sells them for cheaper, stealing business from them.
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As an expert in the field of ethical sourcing and labor practices within the fashion industry, I am deeply familiar with the complexities and challenges associated with supply chains, particularly in fast-fashion companies. My expertise extends to understanding the social and ethical dimensions of production, and I can provide valuable insights into the recent investigative report on Shein.
The investigation by Channel 4 and The i newspaper reveals distressing conditions faced by workers in Chinese factories that supply clothes to Shein. The evidence presented, including undercover footage and interviews, paints a stark picture of labor exploitation, with workers enduring 18-hour workdays, no weekends, and just one day off per month. Such grueling conditions are not only detrimental to the well-being of the workers but also highlight the darker side of the fast-fashion industry's pursuit of low-cost production.
One significant aspect of the report is the revelation that workers at these factories receive meager compensation. Some workers, as mentioned, receive as little as 4 cents for each item they produce. This wage is shockingly low, especially considering the demanding work hours imposed on them. Additionally, the report highlights the practice of withholding the first month's pay and imposing fines equivalent to two-thirds of daily wages for even minor mistakes, creating an environment of economic vulnerability and fear.
The investigation also sheds light on the deceptive business practices, such as workers not receiving a base salary and instead relying on per-item payment, which can further contribute to exploitation. The desperation of workers is evident in their willingness to work seven days a week, emphasizing the lack of rest and work-life balance.
Shein's response to the allegations is noteworthy. The company expresses "extreme concern" and asserts its commitment to a Code of Conduct that aligns with international labor standards. They claim to conduct unannounced audits at supplier facilities and vow to terminate partnerships that do not meet their standards. However, the investigation raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures and whether they are genuinely ensuring fair and ethical labor practices.
In summary, the report on Shein provides a disturbing glimpse into the human cost of the fast-fashion industry's relentless pursuit of low prices. It underscores the need for greater scrutiny, transparency, and accountability throughout the fashion supply chain to ensure that workers are treated ethically and provided with fair compensation for their labor.
