The Chinese startup #Shein has won over Western shoppers by churning out trending styles at ultra-low prices. But at what cost?
A thread about the shady labor practices underpinning Shein’s fashion empire: https://t.co/NFskCIYXq8
1.
It’s past 9 p.m., and the temperature inside the room is sweltering, but the women continue working at a rapid pace. As they finish each piece of clothing, they slip it into a turquoise plastic bag. Each bag bears the same five letters in bold capitals: “SHEIN.” https://t.co/GgG5gCuXE2
2.
Many of Shein’s manufacturing suppliers cut costs by subcontracting orders to small workshops located inside rundown “handshake buildings” — residential blocks so densely packed together, locals joke that neighbors in different towers can almost touch each other. https://t.co/gr6SdFT7Lx
3.
These workshops frequently flout Chinese labor laws and are considered a fire risk, local factory owners and labor experts said. Many are illegal businesses and have no formal contract with Shein, making it difficult for the company to verify whether workers are well-treated. https://t.co/THBlaBWK7Z
4.
At a major Shein logistics center, warehouse staff said they struggled to cope with the intense work, which can involve walking dozens of kilometers a shift with few rest breaks.
5.
Shein has gone to great lengths to keep its supply chain hidden from the world. Despite its spectacular success, the company has a reputation for extreme secrecy, leading one investor to dub it “China’s most mysterious billion-dollar company.” https://t.co/Y9DNGsXn6m
6.
Yet Shein has refused to disclose how it sources the clothes on its platform. Unlike other global fast-fashion brands, which have gradually become more transparent about their supply chains in recent years, the Chinese company remains a “black box.” https://t.co/myPo8nTFlM
7.
In July, Sixth Tone traveled to Guangzhou — Shein’s main production base in China — and spoke with dozens of workers, factory bosses, and workshop owners involved with the supply chain.
8.
This reporting uncovered a consistent pattern of loose oversight and poor working conditions.
Read more: https://t.co/8xngdM6zm9