UK lawmakers could question Shein over workers’ rights early next year

Ahead of a possible London listing, UK trade committee will also look at how to ensure protection against poor labour standards overseas

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People walk past an ad for online retailer Shein in London, UK. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:43am, 5 Nov 2024

British lawmakers could question executives of online fast-fashion group Shein on workers’ rights as early as January, ahead of a possible London listing, according to the head of a parliamentary committee.

The House of Commons’ Business and Trade Committee last week opened an inquiry into employment rights.

It plans to examine the new Labour government’s employment rights bill in the context of protection for UK workers, but will also look at how to ensure adequate protection against poor labour standards overseas, including concerns over forced labour in international supply chains.

The Shein logo on a smartphone. Photo: dpa

Labour lawmaker and former minister Liam Byrne, the chair of the committee, said in an emailed statement to Reuters that he expected Shein to be among the witnesses the committee considers as part of the inquiry, though the final list was not yet agreed.

Parliamentary inquiries consider oral and written evidence and usually result in the publication of a report.

Shein, headquartered in Singapore but originally founded in China, is working towards a London IPO (initial public offering) and awaiting regulatory approval from British and Chinese authorities after confidentially filing papers with Britain’s market regulator in early June.

The company declined to comment on the potential invitation to appear at the committee inquiry.