A new investigation by fast fashion brand Shein has found that the factory workers who make the garments are paid just three cents per garment and have to work 18-hour shifts.
A new Channel 4 documentary titled Untold: Inside the Shein Machine has exposed the conditions in which workers toil in some of the Chinese factories that form part of the online retailer’s supply chain.
In a hidden camera investigation, it was found that the workers earn around 570 euros per month at most for the production of 500 garments per day. Others do not receive a basic salary, but only 0.27 yuan (three cents) per item of clothing produced.
The company is notorious for releasing hundreds of new models every day, sometimes selling for little more than a euro. The company is mostly popular with the younger generation of consumers who are attracted to affordable, on-trend looks.
The 47-minute program, which aired on British TV on Monday, features factory workers speaking out about the poor conditions: “There is no such thing as Sundays here”.
The documentary’s presenter, Imran Amrain, told UK daily The i: “It’s a battle for the lowest price. If someone saves a bit more in manufacturing costs, they’re ahead of the pack. Everyone competes, regardless of where their factories are located or where their company is based.”
Shocking report amid attempts to change Shein’s image
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Shein was looking to raise $1 billion at a $100 billion valuation, according to a Bloomberg report. However, with increasing questions surrounding the company’s ESG space, that attempt is becoming increasingly unlikely.
In a bid to transform its image, the company has also unveiled a set of environmental commitments that it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 25 percent by 2030.
While methods of achieving such a goal remained fairly unclear, the company outlined a number of energy-saving measures it will take to get a grip on its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, including working with Partner in developing carbon reduction plans.
Despite his attempts to polish his image, Shein seems aware of the weaknesses of his suppliers. In 2021, an audit of 700 such establishments found that 83 percent were performing mediocre or poorly and therefore required corrective action.
In response to the recent documentation, a spokesman for the company told London newspaper City AM: “We are extremely concerned by the claims made by Channel 4 that would breach the code of conduct to which all Shein suppliers have agreed.”
“Any non-compliance with this code will be promptly addressed and we will terminate partnerships that do not meet our standards. We have requested specific information from Channel 4 so that we can investigate the incident,” the spokesman said.
This translated article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk.