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Unveiling the Harsh Reality of Fast Fashion: A Call to Action for Ethical Transformation Recent findings by Public Eye, as reported by Charlotte Edwards at BBC News, expose a grim truth about the fashion industry. Workers at some of Shein's suppliers are still enduring grueling 75-hour workweeks despite the company's earlier promises to improve working conditions—a promise that remains unfulfilled. As a staunch advocate for ethical practices within the fashion industry, it is deeply troubling to witness such labor conditions persist in 2024. Employees working from dawn until dusk with minimal breaks and only one day off per month is not just unacceptable—it’s inhumane. Shein’s rapid growth and reliance on an extensive supplier network underscore a critical issue: the urgent need for systemic change across the entire sector. Acknowledging excessive working hours as a "common challenge" is insufficient. We need real, actionable commitments. But will these be made and enforced? At World Collective, we leverage technology and collaboration to enforce and enhance compliance with ethical standards. Our platform supports transparency and accountability in supply chains, ensuring adherence to labor laws and fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all workers. The fashion industry must do better. Prioritizing people over profits is imperative to ensure that no garment is made at the cost of human welfare. We’re shaping the future of fashion.

The recent findings by Public Eye, as reported by Charlotte Edwards at BBC News , reveal a concerning truth about the fashion industry that we cannot ignore anymore. Workers for some suppliers of the fast fashion giant Shein are reported to still endure 75-hour workweeks. This is despite earlier promises by the company to improve conditions—a promise that remains unfulfilled. As someone committed to ethical practices within the fashion industry, I find it deeply troubling that such labor conditions persist in 2024. The reality that employees are working from early morning until late at night with minimal breaks, and only one day off per month, is not just unacceptable—it's inhumane. Shein’s rapid growth and its reliance on an expansive network of suppliers highlight a critical issue that extends beyond just one company: the urgent need for systemic change across the entire sector. While this brand says they acknowledge that excessive working hours are a "common challenge," it's far too late now to claim they know it happens. Real, actionable commitments are required. But will they be taken? At World Collective, we believe in the power of technology and collaboration to enforce and enhance compliance with ethical standards. Our platform is designed to support transparency and accountability in supply chains, encouraging not only compliance with labor laws but promoting a culture of respect and dignity for all workers. The fashion industry MUST do better. We must prioritize people over profits, ensuring that no garment comes at the cost of human welfare. We're creating tomorrow's fashion industry. Are you a #textilesupplier? Want to join the revolution? Reach out! https://lnkd.in/gNMykQwX

If you haven't been aware of the larger impact of fast fashion, especially with brands like Shein, you haven't been paying attention. It's not good for the environment or people to have clothes made this cheaply. I've been trying to be more intentional about the shopping I do, going for secondhand/vintage sellers, having found that the brands I would normally gravitate towards (J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, etc) can be found in great condition - sometimes even better than modern clothes from the same brands! - and for a fraction of the cost. Win win win. #sustainability #intentionalconsumerism

🚨 New Report on Shein's Working Conditions 🚨 Despite pledging to improve working conditions, a recent investigation by Swiss advocacy group Public Eye reveals that some suppliers for Chinese fast fashion giant Shein are still subjecting workers to grueling 75-hour work weeks. This follows up on a 2021 report that exposed excessive overtime among staff at six sites in Guangzhou. Key Findings: 13 employees from six factories reported working 12-hour days, six to seven days a week. Wages remain low, fluctuating between 6,000 to 10,000 yuan per month, with basic wages as low as 2,400 yuan after overtime deductions. Workers face penalties for mistakes, unpaid overtime to rectify errors, and increased surveillance. Reports of toddlers in factories, teenagers packaging items, and unenforced smoking bans. Shein's Response: Shein claims significant progress in enhancing conditions and asserts that long working hours are a common industry challenge. The company is investing millions in governance and compliance, aiming to ensure fair compensation and voluntary work hours. Shein denies having access to surveillance footage and emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for child labor, supporting childcare centers to help workers balance responsibilities. Industry Impact: Shein’s rapid growth, especially during the Covid pandemic, is driven by its ability to turn around new items quickly through thousands of third-party suppliers. The company acknowledges ongoing challenges and stresses the need for industry-wide collaboration to improve working conditions. Let's continue to push for transparency and better working conditions across the fashion industry. Read more about the investigation and Shein's response here: https://lnkd.in/egZDr3cj #FashionIndustry #WorkerRights #SustainableFashion #EthicalBusiness #CorporateResponsibility

It's all about supply chain... SHEIN now exploring supply options for the European market. Suppliers in Turkey could benefit. Shein is under pressure to ensure that all suppliers meet expected standards for employee welfare. And -- critically -- that they are compliant with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and other labour standards. Great organisations know and trust their customers and suppliers. We are all responsible for the decisions we make in building supply chains. #supplychain #globaltrade #compliance

We have released our second research report on #Shein and #Temu. This time, we investigate the working conditions of warehouse workers and office staff who have been absent from recent debates. After more than a decade of researching human and labour rights violations, these findings still came as a surprise, and not in a good way.   Like athletes, warehouse workers are forced to constantly challenge their physical and mental limits. Instead of earning a wage, they compete for a wage prize decided by an opaque algorithm that ranks all workers. Office staff are exhausted after working a staggering 300-380 hours. And, similar to warehouse jobs, it all comes down to competing against one another based on algorithmically determined performance rankings.   If you find this report relevant or useful, please share widely. We are quite good at doing this kind of research but need help in promoting it. https://lnkd.in/dhJNWXBr #China, #humanrights, #labourrights, #bhr #fastfashion

Do better Shein. Deplorable work conditions, long hours, little time off, errors made by an employee must be redone (unpaid). "Ethical business practices" is not, rather should not, be another line on the annual report under CSR. Workers from factories in China, a Shein supplier, not only report the above conditions, but are paid the equivalent of $332 per month. The living wage in China is said to be $902. (today's exchange rates) Think about it this way: the living wage in NYC is $16/hr. Imagine getting paid $5/hr -- or your child has their first summer job and they are compensated at $5/hr. How much was your coffee this morning? A salad in the city? Metro North to work? Few of us could survive merely trying to find housing at that wage. So what do we do about? Stop buying things from suppliers that watchdog organizations are finding to be in violation of ethical business practices. Keep them accountable, seek transparency, and support those companies that you know are equitable, fair, and inclusive. It has to start somewhere.

STAFF AT SHEIN SUPPLIERS IN CHINA WORKING 75-HOUR WEEKS: Employees at some SHEIN supplier factories in China are working 75-hour weeks - despite claims to the contrary. This is according to a report by Swiss advocacy group Public Eye. The report follows a 2021 investigation which revealed excessive overtime at six Shein factories in Guangzhou, the company's key sourcing hub. Ironically, the report arrives in a week that rumours of a Shein public listing on the London Stock Exchange have intensified - with some commentators it could even happen this month (which seems unlikely). The latest findings from Public Eye, based on interviews with 13 workers from six factories, indicate that long hours and other evidence of poor working conditions remain prevalent among Shein’s workforce. In response, Shein told the BBC it has made “significant progress” in improving conditions and is actively working to address these issues. In early 2023, Shein commissioned 3 international audit agencies, TUV Rheinland, SGS and Intertek, to conduct a salary investigation across its suppliers’ facilities in South China. Our story: https://lnkd.in/d98ivzSd

SHEIN faces new abuse allegations It seems that #Shein is facing increasing challenges. Recent reports indicate that the company has been consistently denied U.S. National Retail Federation membership. Furthermore, a Switzerland-based advocacy group, Public Eye, has alleged that human rights abuses persist in Shein's supply chain. Despite Shein's commitment to making changes in late 2022, Public Eye claims that workers in Chinese factories supplying Shein still endure 75-hour work weeks and receive wages as low as $332 per month after overtime deductions. These figures fall well below what is considered a living wage in China. Shein has responded to these allegations by stating it does not recognize many of the claims made in Public Eye's report. #greenwashing #sustainablefashion #businessinnovation #responsibility