If you are looking to buy some nice clothing for yourself, you may have considered the Shein brand. However, there are some things you should know before you make that purchase. You need to keep in mind that Shein has an awful reputation. It is also known to be a company that uses substandard labor practices. This can make a huge difference to the quality of the garments you are purchasing. Find below some reasons why you should never shop at Shein?
Labor practices
If you want to buy a dress that will look good on your next night out, you may be wondering where to get it. However, if you don’t have the time or budget to shop at your local boutique, there are other options. One of these is a fast fashion brand called Shein. The company has slammed for its production practices and lack of transparency.
Shein is a Chinese fast fashion brand that sells a variety of clothing items. Their website boasts that they produce over one million garments every day. They are also known for their low prices, but that hasn’t been enough to prevent consumers from asking questions about the working conditions of their supply chain.
According to a recent report, Shein workers work long hours, often for little pay, and don’t have a lot of free time. Workers in the company’s supply chain paid on a piece rate basis, and they only receive a small fraction of what other companies offer. It estimated that only 2% of the world’s textile workers earn a living wage.
The company’s website makes a few tidbits about its sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to reducing waste. Shein has even formed a Product Review Committee made up of staff from different cultures. This is a step in the right direction, but still leaves a lot to be desired.
Some of the company’s supply chain partners are not well regulated. These factories, including those in China, often do not meet basic safety standards, and have windowless rooms that are not fireproof. In addition, the code of conduct states that “workspace environments should be safe and hygienic”. But there are no specifics about how these conditions maintained.
Shein doesn’t reveal much about its suppliers. Their website does include pages about their “Supply Chain Transparency Statement” and their “Code of Conduct.” However, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There is little information about the production sites or the people behind the clothes.
Public Eye, a Swiss watchdog group, recently inspected 17 factories supplying Shein. The organization found that workers worked 12-to-14-hour days. Even in the busiest months, these workers made only PS1,186, which is a sliver of what other places can give.
Public Eye found no emergency exits at the factory they visited. Additionally, they found that workers had to wash their hair at lunch breaks. A few of the workers interviewed said that they worked for a living, but weren’t sure how they paid. Most not able to provide a contract.
Despite these findings, the Shein website claims that it “never engages in unethical business practices.” It does not provide any further details on how its supply chain works or how it pays its employees.
Sustainability initiatives
In recent months, Shein has aligned itself with several sustainability projects. While they have praised for their initiatives, there are some reasons to never shop at Shein.
One of the biggest reasons to avoid Shein is that the company’s ethics are questionable. They have accused of stealing designs from small artists. The company has also criticized for their lack of transparency in their supply chain. This has led to accusations that they don’t pay a living wage to their workers.
Several nongovernmental organizations have also raised concerns about the company’s practices. These organizations allege that the company pays its workers poorly and places them in unsafe conditions. There is no proof that Shein has violated any labor laws or sanctions.
Another reason to avoid Shein is the fact that it uses materials that are not ecologically sustainable. It only uses faux fur and faux leather, and these materials create carbon emissions and release chemicals into the environment. Many of these materials made of hazardous materials, including fire retardants and microplastics. Consequently, they are very dangerous to humans who consume the products.
Additionally, Shein doesn’t give credit to independent designers. Their products often sold on resale platforms. This means consumers are buying clothes that produced in factories overseas, thereby contributing to waste. Other shopping options are more environmentally friendly.
Moreover, it’s possible that the cheap prices Shein charges are allowing them to exploit workers in their supply chain. In addition to not paying a living wage, the company has not revealed information about the conditions of the factories where it sources its products. Some manufacturers have claimed that the workers are prone to abuse and forced to work 75-hour weeks.
SHEIN has not taken meaningful steps to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in its production processes. The company is reportedly undergoing an audit of its supply chain. However, the report does not detail specifics, such as the use of COVID-19, a regulation that protects workers from child labor.
The fast fashion industry emits around 10% of the world’s greenhouse gases. More than all developed nations combined, China accounts for the largest number of emissions.
As a result, the US government has imposed tariffs on imports from China. Although the company has not yet run afoul of these regulations, it has reportedly set baselines for its emissions this year.
In addition to these concerns, Shein is also a target of environmental activists. The company has cited for its influence on the global rise in textile waste. Approximately one-fifth of the apparel in the United States thrown away each year.
Another issue that is causing concern is the fact that Shein ships its items from warehouses in China, and its products can end up in landfills before they worn. This is particularly troubling, since the company claims that it recycles its products.
Sordid reputation
The name Shein may conjure up images of cheap Chinese knockoffs, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Despite its unorthodox business model, the company has been able to generate millions in revenue thanks to digital marketing and a booming online customer base. But with that said, the company has a sordid reputation as well. It rumor that Shein has sold Nazi symbols and has had a shady history of hiring and firing unsavory employees. And its supply chain has no certifications or proof of the best practices.
Regardless, the company has a slew of new products to look forward to. For example, the company is releasing a new line of high-end designer dresses and skirts, but only in a limited number of sizes. In addition, a new app is allowing customers to request alterations, and a “smart wardrobe” app is making it easier than ever to find a new wardrobe. Of course, consumers will only be able to reap the rewards if they can keep a low profile.
On top of that, there have been reports of Shein’s employees washing their hair on their lunch breaks and not paid for it. Not a good way to spend a day off. Also, the company has accused of several unethical practices such as ripping off designers with unpaid restocking fees and failing to honor returns. To make matters worse, the company is allegedly using fake reviews to lure affluent shoppers.
While the company has yet to respond to our inquiries, it appears that the company is still in the dark when it comes to ethics. As a result, the company has not been able to earn a glowing endorsement from our intrepid shoppers. Until then, we’ll be checking out the other major players in the market.
