Ontario is housing what seems to be one of the worst clothing companies known worldwide

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

I am sure that at some point, when you are online, or scrolling through one of your social media feeds, you will run into an ad from the company Shein. If you ask a GenZ about Shein, they will know about it. Shein is the most Googled brand in the world, even beating out Zara and Nike. Yep! It’s true.

To put this into perspective, Shein reported a $100 billion valuation in April 2022. According to Bloomberg Second Measure research, the company accounted for 40% of fast-fashion sales in the U.S. in March 2022. According to data from Coresight Research, the 14-year-old company’s revenues have grown at a rate of 57% per year, while competitors like 20-year-old Asos hover at around 20%, Now, according to Euromonitor, the e-commerce platform is valued at $100 billion USD, making it the largest online-only fashion company in the world.

Now, all though this is exciting news for Shein consumers, who can’t seem to get enough of the brand, there are some ugly revelations that have raised the eyebrows of some consumers, and last week I received a letter from a group in Toronto who is speaking out against Shein.

They are asking the City of Markham to support their demands of Shein; they are asking the Federal Government of Canada to support their demands of Shein, and they are asking the Provincial Government to support their demands of Shein.

Let’s start from the very beginning of this story. Shein has set up a 170,000 sq ft warehouse and office in the City of Markham, ON, Canada, and despite its growing popularity and success, Shein has come under fire for their alleged human rights abuses and poor employment practices.  One of the most concerning issues with Shein are their labor practices. The company has been accused of exploiting workers in its supply chain by paying low wages, ignoring safety regulations, and violating labor laws.

Reports suggest that Shein’s suppliers often force employees to work long hours in dangerous conditions for little pay. Many workers are denied basic rights such as: breaks, sick leave, and overtime pay, and some are even subjected to abuse.

When I first read the accusations, I had to dig a little deeper, and I was shocked at what I found. I am surprised that Shein is still in business, but I think it might be because this is not being broadcasted loud enough, but I digress…

Shein has also been criticized for their environmental practices. They produce cheap, disposable clothing that is designed to be worn only a few times before being discarded.

They reportedly have been found using toxic chemicals in their manufacturing process, which can harm workers and pollute local water supplies.

One of the bigger issues with Shein is their lack of transparency. The company has been criticized for their secrecy and unwillingness to disclose information about their supply chain, labor practices, and the impact they are having on the environment. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about their purchases and hold the company accountable for their actions.

Like many other famous, and more influential brands, Shein faces accusations of cultural appropriation and insensitivity. The company has been criticized for selling clothing items that appropriate traditional cultural symbols and designs, without acknowledging or respecting their significance.

Right here in Ontario, in the City of Markham, the province is housing what seems to be one of the worst clothing companies known worldwide.Some community members in the City of Markham wrote a demand letter to Mr. Xu (Shein’s Founder), with a list of requests that include:

• A list of all the suppliers that you use in your supply chain, so customers know where products are coming from and how Shein is managing their supply chain.
• Proof of where cotton, used in the production of items, is being sourced from and how it is being harvested.
• Proof that workers are being paid and treated according to the governments’ stipulations in countries where they are based.
• What steps, if any, you have taken to reduce plastic waste.
• Information on how many returns you receive and what is done with returned items.

We as Canadians have a responsibility to hold companies accountable for their actions and demand better practices. I am proud of these community members for standing up for what they believe in. More of this is needed nationwide.