The BBC’s Laura Bicker spent 10 days speaking with factory workers in Guangzhou's Panyu neighborhood, known as "Shein village."

The questionable conditions contribute to growing scrutiny of Shein—a once obscure, Chinese-founded company that has become a global giant in just over five years. I Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson Flickr
She reported that workers endure long shifts with minimal time off.
"If there are 31 days in a month, I will work 31 days," one worker told the BBC. Most workers said they only have one day off per month. Bicker visited 10 factories, interviewed four owners, and spoke with over 20 workers.
Additionally, she spent time at labor markets and textile suppliers.
“We found that the beating heart of this empire is a workforce sitting behind sewing machines for around 75 hours a week in contravention of Chinese labor laws,” Bicker reported.
These grueling hours are not uncommon in Guangzhou, an industrial hub attracting rural workers seeking higher incomes. China, the world’s manufacturing powerhouse, has long grappled with such labor issues.
However, these conditions contribute to growing scrutiny of Shein—a once obscure, Chinese-founded company that has become a global giant in just over five years.
Still privately owned, Shein was valued at approximately £54 billion ($66 billion) in a 2023 fundraising round and is now eyeing a potential listing on the London Stock Exchange. Despite its meteoric rise, the company faces controversy over its treatment of workers and allegations of forced labor.
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