A British parliamentary committee is reportedly planning to investigate SHEIN regarding the rights of workers in its supply chain as the company prepares to list on the London Stock Exchange. The all-party Business and Trade Committee will also look into the Temu marketplace.
The UK committee, which is chaired by former Labour minister Liam Byrne, will examine SHEIN’s general counsel for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Yinan Zhu, on January 7. Aiming to provide sufficient protection against the importation of subpar labour standards, the government’s Workers’ Rights Bill includes the hearing.
The 2008-founded brand SHEIN has become well-liked by Generation Z despite the fact that its ultra-fast fashion model contradicts the need for ethical consumption in light of the environment issue. Fashion experts also criticise the company’s supply chain’s lack of transparency.
SHEIN’s External Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Advisory Board (EEAB) and regional strategic and corporate responsibility committees were established in December to advise SHEIN’s management after the company acknowledged its shortcomings. These committees are made up of international executives and experts.
The committees’ goal is to “ensure that SHEIN’s operations and expansion in the countries where it operates contribute positively to the economic and social fabric of the country,” while the first body’s task is to offer “advice on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities related to ESG,” according to a statement. Under the auspices of this second group, SHEIN will engage with former French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) counsellor.
