Behind the £10 Dress: Unveiling Shein’s Factory Realities

[euronews]

The story behind the £10 dress sheds light on the hidden truths of Guangzhou’s "Shein village," a hub of 5,000 factories that power Shein’s fast-fashion empire. Here, workers face grueling hours and low wages, revealing the darker side of the global fast-fashion industry.

Inside Shein’s Factories: A Glimpse of the Reality

In Guangzhou’s bustling Panyu neighborhood, the sound of sewing machines runs incessantly, day and night. Dubbed the "Shein village," this area accommodates thousands of factories supplying Shein with products like T-shirts, blouses, and swimwear shipped to over 150 countries.

A 49-year-old worker from Jiangxi shared the harsh work schedule: “We work 10 to 12 hours daily. Sundays are three hours less.” Some workers report logging up to 75 hours a week, far exceeding Chinese labor laws, which limit the workweek to 44 hours. Additionally, most workers only get one day off per month.

Many employees are paid per piece, earning a meager 1–2 yuan (less than £0.25) for a simple item such as a T-shirt. While some manage to make up to 10,000 yuan monthly by producing at high speed, wages as low as 4,000 yuan are common. Job seekers in Panyu navigate short-term contracts to meet Shein’s unpredictable demand spikes.

Shein: A Fast-Fashion Giant Under Fire

Shein’s rapid ascent to a staggering £36bn valuation hasn’t come without criticism. Reports of forced labor and substandard working conditions have cast a shadow over the company’s success. In one instance, Shein admitted to discovering underage workers within its supply chain, sparking further controversy.

While Shein asserts its commitment to fair labor practices through audits and a supplier code of conduct, advocacy groups highlight ongoing violations. A detailed report by Public Eye exposed severe overtime and wages that fail to meet basic living standards. For more on the realities behind these allegations, check out this detailed analysis of Shein’s factories.

Shein’s business model thrives on speed and volume, driven by a supply chain that’s entirely based in China. Factories swiftly produce trending products, monitored by algorithms that track shopper preferences. However, this agility comes at a cost—longer hours and additional strain on workers during demand surges.

Despite these conditions, some suppliers appreciate Shein’s reliability. “Payments are always on time,” said Guo Qing E, a factory owner. Still, Shein’s strict pricing policies compel factory owners to cut costs, impacting workers’ wages and overall working conditions.

The Global Consequences of Shein’s Supply Chain

Although Shein has shifted its headquarters to Singapore, its production heavily relies on China’s unmatched manufacturing network. Concerns over links to Xinjiang cotton, which has been tied to allegations of forced labor, have also drawn scrutiny. While Beijing denies these claims, calls for greater transparency in Shein’s supply chain persist.

For factory owners, working with Shein is a double-edged sword. One owner reminisced about better profits before collaborating with Shein but acknowledged the company’s vast order volumes. “Shein dictates the price,” the owner said. “We must find ways to reduce expenses.”

Workers endure the harsh realities of long hours and low pay, balancing financial survival with a sense of pride in their contributions. “This is what we can offer the world,” a supervisor in Guangdong remarked. For some, Shein represents economic stability, albeit at a personal cost.

As Shein prepares for a potential public listing on the London Stock Exchange, it faces mounting pressure to address its supply chain issues. Transparency will be critical, as fashion industry experts like Sheng Lu emphasize the need for Shein to disclose factory details and supply chain data.

The sewing machines in Panyu seldom stop, tirelessly fueling Shein’s fast-fashion dominance. Meanwhile, shoppers around the globe hunt for bargains, often unaware of the realities behind their £10 dresses.