An average workweek of 75 hours—equivalent to nearly double the recommended maximum workweek in Shein's supplier Code of Conduct—continues to be the harsh reality for many of Shein's workers, according to a recent follow-up investigation by Public Eye.
Despite Shein's previous pledges to improve transparency and labor conditions, a new report from Public Eye highlights persistent issues surrounding Shein work conditions, including excessive work hours and wage discrepancies. The late summer 2023 survey interviewed 13 employees across six production sites, uncovering grueling twelve-hour workdays, at least six days a week, and wages significantly lower than the local living wage.
The findings reveal that, on average, workers are paid between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan per month. However, factoring in overtime, the basic wage can plunge to as low as 2,400 yuan, well beneath Guangzhou's statutory minimum wage. Despite Shein's investments of $15 million and a subsequent $70 million in factory improvements, the promises for change remain largely unfulfilled with transparency issues and the disappearance of Shein's founder adding to the skepticism.
Key Takeaways
- Workers report an average of 12-hour workdays, six to seven days a week, totaling approximately 75-hour workweeks.
- Wages fluctuate between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan per month, significantly lower than the living wage in China.
- Basic wage, after accounting for overtime, can fall to about 2,400 yuan, below Guangzhou's statutory minimum wage.
- Shein employees face fines up to 1,000 yuan for quality control errors, further impacting their financial stability.
- Despite Shein’s announcements of significant investments in factory improvements, labor conditions remain largely unchanged.
Latest Findings by Public Eye
In the summer of 2023, Public Eye conducted a follow-up labor investigation, interviewing 13 employees across six Shein factories in Guangdong Province. The findings highlight persistent worker exploitation, with employees enduring 12-hour shifts and 75-hour weeks. Due to informal factory setups, mainly in residential buildings, workers face inadequate safety protocols, earning an average monthly salary between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan ($831 to $1,385). This wage falls short of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance's living wage standard of 6,512 yuan. The table below summarizes Shein's progress and the labor issues observed:
| Metric | 2019-2020 | 2021-2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Sales | $10 billion | $100 billion |
| CO2 Emissions | 6.3 million tons | 6.3 million tons |
| Employee Shift Length | 12 hours | 12 hours |
| Workweeks per Employee | 6-7 days | 6-7 days |
| Number of Countries Serviced | 150+ | 150+ |
Public Eye's findings showcase that despite Shein's claims of improved sustainability and compliance efforts, the reality for workers remains largely unchanged. With Shein's internal management software enabling the addition of up to 10,000 new styles daily, the fast fashion model continues to strain both environmental and social facets of their operations.
Investigative Findings on Shein's Labor Practices
The recent follow-up report highlights that Shein labor conditions have seen minimal improvement. Workers continue to endure 12-hour shifts with few breaks and frequently only one day off per month. This prolonged workweek mirrors the situation reported two years ago, indicating persistent issues in Shein's approach to ethical manufacturing.
Details from the Follow-Up Report
The report revealed that many Chinese textile workers at Shein facilities still experience excessive working hours. Investigations found employees working 12.5 to 13.5-hour shifts daily, reminiscent of previous conditions. Disturbingly, Channel 4’s documentary showed workers taking on 75-hour weeks. This starkly contrasts with legal limits in China, which cap work at 8 hours a day with up to 3 hours of overtime.
Comparison to Previous Conditions
Compared to two years ago, the follow-up study shows little has changed. Piecework wages remain the norm, forcing garment workers to pull significant overtime to earn a basic living. While Shein promised to earmark $15 million over the next 3-4 years to enhance factory conditions, reports of labor rights violations and insufficient actions persist.
Workers' Perspectives
Insights from workers—ranging from needleworkers to quality checkers—paint a grim picture of garment worker wages. The daily base salary is reportedly $20, but mistakes can lead to deductions as high as $14. Despite being advanced in their skills, workers often earn barely enough for a decent living. Shein stated that problematic factory wages average 9,816 Yuan ($1,404) per month, with employees often clocking 11-13 hour days without proper overtime compensation.
| Condition | Reported | Comparison to Norm |
|---|---|---|
| Working Hours (Monthly) | 75-hour weeks | Legal limit: 44-51 hours/week |
| Base Salary | $20/day | Can be docked by $14 for errors |
| Average Monthly Earnings | 9,816 Yuan ($1,404) | Heavily dependent on overtime |
Conclusion
The company lists between 2,000 and 10,000 items on its website daily, yet only about six percent of these designs stay for more than 90 days, emphasizing the cyclical and wasteful nature of fast fashion. Employees in these conditions often face severe penalties, such as being fined two-thirds of their day's wage for mistakes on any of the 500 garments they produce daily.
Cases reported include a Shein worker earning approximately 85 cents per hour for a crocheted vest, and another estimate suggests workers might only earn $0.21 per hour for the same labor-intensive task. Such practices highlight the urgent need for advocacy for workers' rights, pushing for action towards labor law compliance and more sustainable fashion practices.
