// Shein expresses concerns over Channel 4 documentary claims of “exploitative working conditions”
// An undercover journalist named “Mei” went into factories and revealed the appalling hours and wages of Shein workers
Shein has responded to the controversial Channel 4 documentary “Untold: Inside the Shein Machine” which showed factory workers on 18 hours a day with no weekends.
The online fast fashion retailer said it is “extremely concerned” by the claims presented in the programme.
The investigation by Channel 4, which aired last night, saw an undercover journalist named “Mei” visit factories to reveal the appalling hours and wages of Shein workers.
Mei claimed to find evidence of “exploitative working conditions” during her investigation.
The locations of the factories were not revealed in order to protect the undercover reporter and her colleagues.
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During the programme, it was revealed that there are no defined working hours and that workers are only allowed one day off per month. Some were found to be working 18-hour days.
Workers in the factory received a wage of 3p per item produced. If they made a mistake, they were fined up to three quarters of an average workers daily salary (100 yuan/£12).
Channel 4’s reporter also said she found a “culture of design theft” within the fast fashion company.
The programme found that Shein “scrapes social media for emerging trends, turning them into designs which they commission in small batches from a network of thousands of factories in Guangzhou, China”.
Shein responded to the documentary’s findings, and said: “We are extremely concerned by the claims presented by Channel 4, which would violate the Code of Conduct agreed to by every Shein supplier.
“Any non-compliance with this code is dealt with swiftly, and we will terminate partnerships that do not meet our standards.
“We have requested specific information from Channel 4 so that we can investigate.
“Shein’s Responsible Sourcing (SRS) standards hold our suppliers to a code of conduct based on International Labor Organization conventions and local laws and regulations, including labor practices, and working conditions.
“We work with leading independent agencies like TUV, SGS, OpenView and Intertek to conduct unannounced audits at supplier facilities.”
In April this year, Shein achieved a valuation of £76.5 billion ($100 billion) following a successful investment round.
The new valuation meant the company surpassed the combined value of the two biggest retailers in the world – Zara owner Inditex and H&M with £52 billion and £15 billion valuations respectively.
Founded in 2008, Shein rose to success selling inexpensive clothes and lifestyle items, with more than 2,000 new styles added daily.
