Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade select committee, told the Shein representative, MPs were “horrified by the lack of evidence that you have provided today”. “You’ve given us almost zero confidence in the integrity of your supply chains,” he added.
It was the first chance MPs have had to publicly question the international retailer, which is reported to be working towards listing some of its shares on the London Stock Exchange.
Singapore-headquartered Shein, which was founded in China in 2012, is seeking regulatory approval to list in the UK from both the regulatory Financial Conduct Authority and China’s securities regulator.
“For detailed operational information and other aspects, I am not able to assist. I will have to write back to the committee,” she said. Asked about the London listing, Zhu said she was unable to comment.
Frustrated at the lack of answers. Byrne said at one point: “You can’t tell us anything about listing, you can’t tell us anything about cotton in Shein products, and you can’t tell us much, in fact.”
Accusing her of “wilful ignorance” he asked if she thought she was “being disrespectful” by not answering many of the questions.
Shein has previously said it requires contract manufacturers to only source cotton from approved regions, and that it has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labour.
Eleanor Lyons, the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, told MPs there is concern the UK has such high numbers of victims of modern slavery. A “fragmented labour market” and under-resourced enforcement bodies were to blame she said.
“Before we’ve got those two things lined up, I don’t think import bans are the right thing to focus on,” she added.
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