Part 6/11:
The human cost of Shein’s low retail prices is equally concerning. Reports have consistently highlighted alarming working conditions in factories that produce for Shein. Workers face long hours, unsafe environments, and disturbingly low wages. A 2022 investigation from the Worker Rights Consortium corroborated claims that staff are subjected to extreme production quotas, often needing to produce hundreds of items daily while simultaneously facing penalties that could account for up to two-thirds of their daily wages.
Shein’s lack of transparency regarding its factory locations and labor practices further complicates efforts to resolve these challenges. The glaring discrepancies in labor treatment expose the hidden costs associated with the affluence of fast fashion.