(qlmbusinessnews.com . Wed 8th Jan, 2025) London, UK —
Shein Lawyer Dodges Questions Over Use of Chinese Cotton Amid Human Rights Concerns
A senior lawyer for the fast-fashion giant Shein repeatedly refused to confirm whether the company’s products contain cotton sourced from China, sparking criticism during a parliamentary hearing.
Yinan Zhu, Shein’s general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), acknowledged that the company’s suppliers manufacture goods in China. However, she declined to clarify if cotton from the Xinjiang region—a region at the centre of forced labour allegations—was used.
During the Business and Trade Committee hearing, Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard accused Ms Zhu of “wilful obfuscation,” calling her responses “completely ridiculous.” Maynard noted that Shein’s website lists numerous cotton products but pointed out Ms Zhu’s reluctance to address whether any were made using Xinjiang cotton.
“Your refusal to directly answer questions about Xinjiang shows wilful ignorance,” Maynard said, adding, “You have given this committee almost no confidence in the transparency of Shein’s supply chains.”
The company, founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, is under scrutiny over alleged links to forced labour practices in Xinjiang, where the Uyghur Muslim minority has reportedly faced severe human rights abuses. Beijing has consistently denied these allegations.
Shein, which has grown rapidly since its inception in 2008, is exploring a public listing on the London Stock Exchange. But its rise to become one of the world’s largest fast-fashion retailers has been accompanied by mounting concerns over labour practices.
Ms Zhu stated that Shein does not own any factories and instead works with a network of suppliers in China, Turkey, and Brazil. She also asserted that Shein complies with the laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates.
However, the chair of the committee, Liam Byrne, criticised the company for failing to provide substantial evidence. “For a company selling £1 billion worth of goods and aiming to list in the UK, your lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” he said.
The controversy follows similar scrutiny of global fashion brands, including H&M, Nike, and Burberry, which have faced pressure to remove Xinjiang cotton from their supply chains. While many have done so, such moves have prompted backlash and boycotts in China.
The parliamentary hearing underscored the growing demand for accountability from major corporations amid ongoing allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang and the ethical challenges in fast fashion supply chains.
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