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Ethics in Action: Shein’s Unethical Labour Practices
First Name and Last Name
School Name
Course Code
Teacher Name
Date
, 2
Introduction
With millions of customers drawn to its huge range of fashionable yet reasonably priced
clothing, Shein has come out as a significant force in the fast-fashion sector. The company was
established in China and is currently a well-known worldwide e-commerce brand. Its ability to
provide fashion fast and affordably has contributed to its explosive growth. However, there is a
downside to this success: in 2023, concerns showed significant unethical labor practices in
Shein's supply chain. There is an obvious gap between Shein's public image and the reality of its
production, as evidenced by reports of child labor and poor working conditions at supplier
factories. These actions go against Shein's own agreements to maintain ethical company behavior
as well as breaking international labor standards such as Convention No. 138 of the International
Labour Organization. In addition to taking advantage of weaker employees, these allegations
manipulated customers and put Shein at significant financial and reputational risk as public
pressure grew. This study looks at Shein's labor violations, the individuals involved, their
financial impact on the business, its response initiatives, and a critical evaluation of its ethical
standards.
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Unethical Issues: Child Labour and Poor Working Conditions at Shein
In 2023, Shein, an important fast-fashion brand, came under serious criticism for following
unfair labor practices. Although the business has expanded rapidly by offering cheap clothing,
reports have exposed significant issues with clothing’s manufacturing process. These include all
allegations of dangerous working conditions in its factories and child labour. These actions
violated Shein’s commits as well as international labor laws. In order to demonstrate the
importance of these problems, their impacts on individuals, and reasons they are considered
unethical, this section examines them in detail using recent research.
Child Labour
Child labour is the action of employing minors to perform tasks that could put danger their
physical, mental, and moral development as well as dismiss them the basic rights, such as the
right to attend school. Zhu also gave the ages of the children Shein previously said it found
working at suppliers in 2023 as 15 years and 11 months, and 15 years and 9 months (Reuters,
2025). Additionally, the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 138 mentions, "The
minimum age specified in pursuance of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be less than the age
of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years" (ILO,
1973). There are major ethical consequences to child labor. Because they are unable to defend
themselves or pursue legal action, children—especially those from low-income families—are
more likely to be taken advantage of. At Shein’s supplier factories, children were employed in
violation of ethical standards, with the company taking steps such as terminating contracts and
arranging medical checkups after discovering these cases (Reuters, 2024). Not only does this
hurt the children, but it also shows that Shein's manufacturing inspection system does not work
properly. These issues grow because the company relies on a large number of low-cost suppliers
Ethics in Action: Shein’s Unethical Labour Practices
First Name and Last Name
School Name
Course Code
Teacher Name
Date
, 2
Introduction
With millions of customers drawn to its huge range of fashionable yet reasonably priced
clothing, Shein has come out as a significant force in the fast-fashion sector. The company was
established in China and is currently a well-known worldwide e-commerce brand. Its ability to
provide fashion fast and affordably has contributed to its explosive growth. However, there is a
downside to this success: in 2023, concerns showed significant unethical labor practices in
Shein's supply chain. There is an obvious gap between Shein's public image and the reality of its
production, as evidenced by reports of child labor and poor working conditions at supplier
factories. These actions go against Shein's own agreements to maintain ethical company behavior
as well as breaking international labor standards such as Convention No. 138 of the International
Labour Organization. In addition to taking advantage of weaker employees, these allegations
manipulated customers and put Shein at significant financial and reputational risk as public
pressure grew. This study looks at Shein's labor violations, the individuals involved, their
financial impact on the business, its response initiatives, and a critical evaluation of its ethical
standards.
, 3
Unethical Issues: Child Labour and Poor Working Conditions at Shein
In 2023, Shein, an important fast-fashion brand, came under serious criticism for following
unfair labor practices. Although the business has expanded rapidly by offering cheap clothing,
reports have exposed significant issues with clothing’s manufacturing process. These include all
allegations of dangerous working conditions in its factories and child labour. These actions
violated Shein’s commits as well as international labor laws. In order to demonstrate the
importance of these problems, their impacts on individuals, and reasons they are considered
unethical, this section examines them in detail using recent research.
Child Labour
Child labour is the action of employing minors to perform tasks that could put danger their
physical, mental, and moral development as well as dismiss them the basic rights, such as the
right to attend school. Zhu also gave the ages of the children Shein previously said it found
working at suppliers in 2023 as 15 years and 11 months, and 15 years and 9 months (Reuters,
2025). Additionally, the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 138 mentions, "The
minimum age specified in pursuance of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be less than the age
of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years" (ILO,
1973). There are major ethical consequences to child labor. Because they are unable to defend
themselves or pursue legal action, children—especially those from low-income families—are
more likely to be taken advantage of. At Shein’s supplier factories, children were employed in
violation of ethical standards, with the company taking steps such as terminating contracts and
arranging medical checkups after discovering these cases (Reuters, 2024). Not only does this
hurt the children, but it also shows that Shein's manufacturing inspection system does not work
properly. These issues grow because the company relies on a large number of low-cost suppliers
