Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Ryan
If you’re worried about Shein workers, you’re not alone. We’re concerned for their well-being because Shein jobs have a grueling schedule. Employees are expected to produce Shein clothing for women for up to 18 hours per shift, leaving little time for rest. Allegedly, some customers have also found Shein’s “help me” tags attached to their fast fashion statements.
Even if the rumors about cries for help on Shein clothing tags are false, the company’s workers still need our support because they’re underpaid and overworked. Unfortunately, Shein participates in fast fashion to manufacture clothes quickly and meet consumer demand for affordable styles. You can easily spot a fast fashion company if they have thousands of clothing items, responds to trends quickly, uses low-quality materials, and relies on offshore manufacturing for cheap labor.
Although Shein models make the retailer’s clothing look glamorous, producing these fashion statements comes at a high human cost, which is a fact that we can’t ignore. Read on if you’re ready to learn about the various allegations against Shein and find out how you can help their workers.
Shein
Social media users have called Shein “problematic,” “toxic,” and “downright disgusting.” Here’s why the company is receiving so much backlash online.
October Investigation from Channel 4
A 2022 investigation by the U.K.’s Channel 4 TV network unveiled the toxic work environment that Shein workers endure.
Shein employees are expected to work a shocking seven days per week for up to 18 hours per day. As a result of this punishing schedule, Shein workers likely get under six hours of sleep per night and spend minimal time with loved ones.
However, the work hours aren’t the only issue hiding behind Shein’s walls. In the factories that were investigated, Shein workers only earned a base salary of approximately $556 per month. In return, they worked 18-plus hour days to make 500 or more articles of Shein clothing for women. As you can see from the chart below, their working conditions are drastic and their pay is painfully low.
In fact, we were shocked to learn that Shein workers receive less than half a percent of the retail price of each dress they make. Additionally, workers may only get one day off during an entire month. As sweatshops have been illegal in the United States for nearly a century, conscious shoppers should be wary of supporting inhumane labor practices abroad.
Shein Employees Hiding Messages In Tags
Recent news reports have also revealed an unsettling trend of Shein tag messages. Many customers claimed that they found Shein Help me tags on their clothing. Understandably, people are disturbed and wonder if Shein workers are begging for help via hidden messages on clothing tags.
Although many media outlets have debunked these rumors, there are plenty of consumers who believe the tag messages are real, especially considering the horrible conditions Shein workers face.
Shein Child Labor Rumors
Another potential issue with Shein Jobs is that the company is rumored to employ children. Needless to say, ending child labor is a cause that most people stand behind. Children are not supposed to be cooped up at work all day. Instead, they should be learning how to read, write, and enjoy life, even if that means longer wait times for fast fashion statements.
Shein Sustainability
Unfortunately, Shein falls short when it comes to safety and sustainability too. Shein’s recent sustainability and social impact report revealed that many of their suppliers have workplace safety issues.
Sixty-six percent of suppliers’ factories and warehouses ranked as “mediocre,” with up to three significant safety risks found in the workplace. Moreover, twelve percent of factories fell beneath the ZTV category. This means that there are significant safety violations present and immediate action is needed to protect workers.
Another sustainability report by Synthetics Anonymous 2.0 found that Shein emits 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. Although Shein says they’re trying to reduce their carbon footprint, the company doesn’t have a clear plan to lower emissions. To demonstrate the scale of their environmental impact, we compared the carbon dioxide emissions of Shein and other popular e-commerce retailers below.
The results are quite shocking. While Shein isn’t the worst offender, they produce eight times as much carbon dioxide per dollar of revenue compared to ASOS. Although we understand the allure of fast fashion, the long-term repercussions aren’t worth it. Sadly, Shein’s emissions could imperil the worldwide effort to limit global warming.
Shein Toxic Clothing
Another major problem is the overall toxicity of Shein clothing. There are many claims that their clothes are toxic and contain harmful components, such as PFAS and phthalates.
Out of 47 Shein clothing items, 15 contained concerning amounts of toxic chemicals. Further, seven items breached EU regulations because they had such high levels of hazardous chemicals.
These findings not only impact customers, but also the environment. When Shein clothing for women is produced, hazardous chemicals are released into the air and wastewater. While these toxic compounds are found in many fast fashion statements, it doesn’t mean that they’re healthy for either workers or consumers.
Big Brands With Similar Issues
Our Shein Rating
Many Shein customers aren’t happy with the company’s practices, including us. Shein hasn’t taken any significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint or provide their employees with a safe workspace and decent pay. Shein workers shouldn’t have to suffer through long work hours in an unsafe factory.
To make matters worse, many of the brand’s clothing items contain known toxins. This puts the health of Shein models, workers, and customers at risk. Additionally, the rumors about the Help Me tags and the use of child labor are concerning.
Due to Shein’s lack of accountability, we rate the company one out of five.
Shein isn’t the only company with workplace safety and sustainability issues. Many other popular brands have similar problems, including Amazon and Fashion Nova, which we’ve reviewed below.
Amazon
Amazon may be a global retail giant, but that doesn’t mean their practices get an A+. Amazon workers experience many problems, such as long work hours, high turnover, and minimal time off. There’s also the issue of Amazon’s sustainability. Despite the company’s pledge to reduce emissions, Amazon’s carbon footprint actually increased 36% from 2018 to 2020.
For their poor treatment of workers and lack of environmental stewardship, we give Amazon three out of five stars.
Fashion Nova
Like Shein, Fashion Nova is an e-tailer that sells fast fashion statements to help you look and feel your best. However, they’re another business that you might not want to support.
Unfortunately, Fashion Nova lags behind when it comes to environmental stewardship. The company hasn’t made any noticeable efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition, Fashion Nova employees only earn $2.77 per hour. Although they get paid twice as much as Shein workers, their salary still isn’t high enough. Fashion Nova also has subpar workplace conditions, which is why we’re giving them two out of five stars.
How to Help This Problem
The good news is that all hope is not lost. There are many ways that you can help Shein workers, including the four action steps below.
Stop Shopping at Shein
Shein clothing for women is both beautiful and affordable, which makes it a tempting option. However, it’s important to remember who’s creating these fast fashion statements. It’s likely someone working in an unsafe factory getting very little sleep and pay. If you don’t approve of Shein’s working conditions, you shouldn’t shop there.
Stop Supporting Shein
In order to effectively boycott Shein, you have to stop supporting the company entirely. This means that you shouldn’t spend a single dime at their shop. Additionally, you shouldn’t watch or share any content related to Shein. In short, avoid doing anything that could increase Shein’s popularity or revenue.
Shop Ethical & Sustainable Competitors
Unfortunately, you may not be able to find exact replicas of your favorite Shein pieces. However, many ethical brands still produce stylish, affordable clothing that will help you stay on-trend. For example, ASOS prides itself on being a fashion destination for 20-somethings while maintaining high ethical and sustainability standards. They’ve pledged to improve wages and safety for workers, reduce their carbon footprint, and source animal-derived materials as humanely as possible.
If ASOS isn’t your style, you can find other ethical brands that match your aesthetic through online research.
Shop at Thrift Stores
Instead of supporting Shein, consider visiting your local thrift store. You’ll not only find great clothing but also help the environment. It’s a win-win situation when you shop secondhand! Plus, you may even be able to score fast fashion statements from your favorite brands.
Put an End to Shein and Help Shein Workers Today!
Although Shein clothing for women has become quite popular, recent news has shown why buyers should stop purchasing from this platform altogether. They treat their workers horribly and may even engage in child labor. Additionally, Shein’s clothes have been labeled “toxic,” and the company isn’t very eco-friendly.
Sorry, ladies, but it’s time to put a stop to Shein and help Shein workers in 2024!
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How much does Shein pay its workers?
According to Channel 4, employees at one of the facilities were paid a base salary of 4,000 yuan ($555.83) per month to produce a minimum of 500 outfits each day. However, the first month’s pay was withheld. In order to earn a commission of 0.14 yuan (or 2 cents) for each item, several employees worked into the night.
Where are the Shein workers located?
Many of Shein’s suppliers are located in Guangzhou, China, including two factories that were the subject of a recent documentary. The film follows an undercover worker to highlight Shein’s poor working conditions and reveal the human cost of their business strategy.
How many hours do Shein workers work?
A new investigation has found that Shein workers are paid as little as three pence while working shifts of around 18 hours.
Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
