Tell Shein: Stop Profiting from Uyghur Forced Labor
Shein Founder and CEO, Chris Xu
Help Free Uyghurs from Forced Labor in China
People belonging to ethnic, cultural, and religious groups in northwestern China, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and Hui, are currently the target of the largest organized detention of an ethno-religious minority the world has seen since World War II. Since 2017, over one million have been detained.
Detainees are made to work under constant surveillance, with assigned minders and no freedom to leave. Their forced labor contributes to the production of goods for numerous multinationals.
Shein's clothing includes cotton processed by Uyghur slave labor. According to a Bloomberg News report:
Laboratory testing conducted for Bloomberg News on two occasions this year found that garments shipped to the US by Shein were made with cotton from China’s Xinjiang region. The results bring new urgency to concerns about the retailer, which stars in endless TikTok “haul” videos with young customers showing off their purchases.
For More Information:
"Eight things you can do to help Uyghurs in a time of genocide," Uyghur Human Rights Project
End #ForcedLabourFashion Now - campaign website
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To:
Shein Founder and CEO, Chris Xu
From:
[Your Name]
I demand that Shein end its complicity in Uyghur forced labor.
Shein has this on its website:
"We have a clear and strong policy against modern slavery, forced labor and human trafficking. We have implemented a supply chain lode of Conduct_ to which suppliers and manufacturers must agree. We require our suppliers and manufacturers to comply with all applicable labor and environmental laws, including the laws pertaining to forced labor, including slave labor, child labor, prison labor, minimum wage and overtime compensation in the country of manufacture; and (ii) the International Labor Organization's Conventions on Forced Labor. (https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C029)
"Through these binding agreements, we strive to ensure that our suppliers and vendors pay fair wages, ensure freedom of association, prevent unlawful discrimination and promote the health and safety of workers in our supply chain. Suppliers or vendors who violate our Code of Conduct and fail to timely and reasonably address the violations are subject to termination.
We are working to continuously improve our current supplier monitoring programs and advance key initiatives such as environmental and social responsibility. We donate regularly to social and environmental causes and work with partners around the world on these efforts."
Despite these strong words, chemical testing shows Shein products contain cotton from the Xinjiang region. Forced labor is widespread in the Uyghur Region, which accounts for 20% of the world’s cotton.
We are tired of hearing Shein's empty words. It needs to take real action and prioritize the lives and dignity of the Uyghur people over their own profits. The only way to ensure that Shein is not complicit in Uyghur forced labor is by committing to each of the steps of the Brand Commitment to Exit the Uyghur Region.
Please write back and tell me what actions you will take to ensure that none of your products are connected to Uyghur forced labor in China.