1st commentator: Wu Peiyue on the topic of SHEIN and Manufacturing Laborers
Wu Peiyue is one of the only journalists who went to Shein's production sites in Guangzhou to investigate their labor practices. When she went to the production sites, she found crowded workshops underpaying people without official contracts. "It's not that SHEIN has child labor or has abused their workers. The issue is those workers are not in the social welfare system." Thus workers have no rights or guarantees. The demand for cheaper, faster clothing means that wages in the industry have to be low to remain competitive. "It's not only about SHEIN but it's about the social issues prevailing in the whole society."
I think that Peiyue brings up a great point that even if SHEIN does not have child laborers or has not outright abused their workers, the line should not be drawn there. Workers should still have rights and be protected. Laborers should be able to earn a living wage without working overtime every week.
2nd commentator: Maxine Bedat on the topic of SHEIN
Maxine Bedat is an author and researcher that specializes in the fashion and garment industry.
"So you have this very addictive algorithm, influencers, and young women. It's a very impressionable age where they want to fit in and clothing companies have utilized that insecurity to drive a lot of sales but never to the extent that we're now seeing. The only way that you can get very cheap products is by not paying workers and flouting any environmental standards. You can not have a business model like that and operate, in any way, with respect to the planet or its people. It's a very energy-intensive process to create textiles. This production is happening in places like principally China, with a coal-based energy grid. It is a very tall order to ask young people to do the right thing when the messaging is so intense to do something different. I think that legislators will step up and make the rules necessary but that takes people's participation."
Personally, I agree with Bardot in that the only way SHEIN will change its unethical practices is as a result of increased government regulation or a negative consumer reaction that affects the company's competitive advantage.
3rd commentator: Isobella Wolfe on the Environmental Impact of SHEIN
Isobella Wolfe is a content manager at Good On You. Good On You is a site where you can find trusted brand ratings, articles, and expertise on ethical and sustainable fashion.
"SHEIN gets our lowest score of 'We Avoid' for the planet. Aside from using a couple of eco-friendly materials here and there, there is no evidence the brand is taking any meaningful action to reduce its substantial impact on the environment. From hazardous chemicals to carbon emissions to microplastics, SHEIN is making zero effort. On top of that, brands mass-producing such cheap poorly made clothing perpetuate a throwaway fashion culture simply for existing. SHEIN would have to do a complete 180 to raise its score in this area."
I agree with the sentiment that SHEIN is not taking enough meaningful action to reduce its impact on the environment. On one of SHEIN's youtube videos, the company boasted that it "supported the planting of more than 500,000 trees". This is an example of a reactive approach to an environmental problem. This solution does not merely balance out all of the greenhouse gases the company contributes to the planet.
In my opinion, I think it's important that the public is aware of Shein's dreadful impact on children and the company needs to be held accountable for their lack of transparency.
ReplyDeleteShein is definitively misguiding its customer base for greed in my opinion as well. Furthermore, it is likely that these factories employ undocumented employees for the specific purpose of increased profits with less employee compensation.
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