Shein has been accused of “wilful ignorance” after MPs were left “horrified” when the fast fashion giant failed to answer questions on whether forced labour exists in its supply chain.
In a hearing before the business and trade committee, MPs said they had “almost zero confidence in the integrity” of the online giant’s supply chain after it failed to comment on whether it sources cotton from China, and more specifically, the region of Xinjiang.
The unsuccessful hearing will deal a blow to Shein’s hopes of a £50bn listing on the London Stock Exchange, which is understood to be waiting for approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.
Chairman of the committee Liam Byrne blasted the retailer after a “disrespectful” appearance by Yinan Zhu, the retailer’s general counsel for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
He said: “For a company that sells £1bn [worth of products] to UK consumers and is seeking to float on the London Stock Exchange, the committee has been pretty horrified by the lack of evidence you have provided today.
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“You’ve given us almost zero confidence in the integrity of your supply chains. You can’t even tell us what your products are made from, you can’t tell us much about the conditions which workers have to work in, and the reluctance to answer basic questions has frankly bordered on contempt of the committee.”
Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard also weighed into the debate after Zhu refused to say whether the company sources its cotton from China.
“Frankly, I don’t feel you’re respecting the committee at all,” he said.
“You say to our chair that you can’t state whether Shein is selling any products in China which are made of cotton. I find that completely ridiculous. I find it very unhelpful and disrespectful that you’re here doing this. It’s wilful ignorance.”
He asked: “Do you think you’re being disrespectful by being so blatantly void of answers? We have asked you some very, very simple questions, and you are not giving us straight answers.
“And that, I find, dismisses the point of why we’re here today. Do you understand how simple the questions we’re asking you are? Do any of your products have cotton from China? That is not difficult.”
Zhu responded by claiming she was answering their questions as best she could.
She said: “For detailed operational information and other aspects, I am not able to assist. I will have to write back to the committee afterwards.”
“Obviously we comply with laws and regulations everywhere we do business in the role. And we have supplier code of conducts, we have robust systems and procedures in place and policies in place.”
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