A BBC investigation has found that factory workers making clothing for fast fashion giant Shein toil for 75-hour weeks and earn less than 1 cent per garment. The Chinese city of Guangzhou, home to over 5,000 factories supplying the retailer, has labor laws being ignored with staff working in excess of 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Shein made a €1.5 billion profit last year, despite its ultra-cheap prices, which have raised eyebrows. The firm’s commitment to treating workers fairly and dignifiedly was not backed up by its own statements, as it declined to be interviewed.
The fast fashion industry, led by Shein, has been criticized for its environmental impact, with the EU being one of the largest polluters in the world, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. Ireland’s textile consumption is also a concern, with the average Irish person consuming over 50kg of textiles annually, more than double the EU average.
To address these issues, new policies are needed. The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Temu, another fast fashion company with operations in Ireland, over allegations of forced labor and environmental impact. The incoming Government must support policies that promote corporate sustainability and ensure businesses uphold human rights and environmental standards globally.
Source: https://www.thesun.ie/news/14558315/eu-crackdown-calls-unethical-fast-fashion-shein-temu