Fast fashion giant Shein came under fire during a U.K. parliamentary hearing for failing to confirm whether its products contain cotton linked to forced labor in the Uyghur Region of China. In fact, the company could not even admit to sourcing cotton in China at all. The company’s general counsel for Europe, Yinan Zhu, faced accusations of “wilful ignorance” after dodging key questions about the company’s supply chain practices.
Unanswered questions on forced labor
During the Business and Trade Committee hearing, direct yes or no questions were rebuffed by Zhu to the increasing frustration of the policymakers. She could not even confirm that Shein sources any cotton from China or that Shein is trying to get listed on the London Stock Exchange—despite the hearing being part of the hold up of said listing.
The Guardian reports,
Zhu could not answer questions about whether Shein’s manufacturers – none of which the company owns directly – used the controversial yarn or whether any of them were based in the Xinjiang region. She said the company may be able to provide a written answer in future.
Zhu was sent a dossier outlining links between cotton production in the region and forced labour of the Muslim minority Uyghur people. However, she said the material, put together by the campaign group Stop Uyghur Genocide, was ‘not specifically relating to Shein,’ which is headquartered in Singapore but founded in China where most of its products are made.”
The testimony left MPs unconvinced. Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade Committee, criticized Shein for its lack of transparency, stating, “For a company seeking to float on the London Stock Exchange, the committee has been pretty horrified by the lack of evidence.”
Audits fail to inspire confidence
Shein, which is headquartered in Singapore, is seeking a £50 billion listing on the London Stock Exchange after reportedly abandoning plans for a U.S. IPO amid political opposition. Zhu assured MPs that Shein complies with U.K. laws, including modern slavery regulations, and claimed the company conducts thousands of independent audits of its suppliers.
However, when asked whether cotton from the Uyghur Region was explicitly banned in Shein’s supply chain, Zhu could not provide a definitive answer. Nor could she explain the 140 categories reportedly used in supplier checks.
MP Charlie Maynard criticized Zhu for “obfuscation” and a lack of straight answers, calling her testimony “unhelpful and disrespectful.” Liam Byrne, the committee chair, added that the hearing left MPs with “almost zero confidence” in Shein’s transparency or its claims about ethical sourcing.
Comparisons with rival Temu
During the session, MPs noted that Shein’s competitor Temu appeared more proactive in addressing supply chain concerns. Stephen Heary, representing Temu, said the platform does not allow sellers based in the Uyghur Region and is responsive to stakeholder feedback. However, Temu has not explicitly banned the use of cotton from the region, leaving questions about its practices as well.
Shein must be held accountable!
Shein’s “wilful ignorance” is emblematic of a profit focused fashion industry, where forced labor remains a persistent issue. Brands must prove their commitment to ethical practices by taking a stand against Uyghur forced labor.
Join us in urging Shein to take meaningful action and send a clear message to the industry: forced labor has no place in fashion.
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