Shein employees work for pennies, 75 hours a week

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 05. 14. 10:10

According to the latest investigation by the Swiss advocacy group Public Eye, Shein, the Chinese fast fashion giant, is still not keeping its promise to improve working conditions. At some of the company’s suppliers, workers still work 75 hours a week, significantly more than the 60-hour week, including overtime, set out in Shein’s code of conduct.

According to the 13 employees interviewed by Public Eye in Guangzhou, they work an average of 12 hours a day, six to seven days a week. The wages of the workers have changed little since the first investigation, ranging between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan (298,000 forints and 495,000 forints) per month, their basic salary after deducting overtime pay is only 2,400 yuan (120,000 forints). In the event of errors, employees must correct the problem during their own working hours without payment.

The number of surveillance cameras in the factories has also increased, which the workers perceive as the footage being transmitted to Shein in real time. In addition, the presence of children and the work of teenagers were also observed in the factories.

Shein has invested tens of millions of dollars to strengthen their supply chain governance and compliance and emphasized the importance of industry collaboration to improve supplier practices. Regarding the security cameras, the company claimed that it did not have access to the footage as it was the suppliers’ decision to install them. On the issue of child labor, Shein communicated that all violations will be dealt with strictly and financial support will be provided for the establishment of child care centers.