So, what are the UN’s Global Goals? The Global Goals are also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). The Global Goals were embraced by the UN in 2015, and were made as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity (UNDP, n. d.). The SGDs are made up of 17 goals, which are all designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls. The goals which are the furthest from being reached are to be prioritized (UNDP, n. d).
In this segment we will be looking into one of the specific goals from the Global Goals, goal number eight: Decent Work and Economic Growth. It reads as follows: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all (SDGS, n. d.). Furthermore, in relation to each of these goals, more specific target follows. We will be looking at the two following targets:
Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms (SDGS, n. d.).
Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment (SDGS, n. d.).
To illuminate these targets in practice, we will be looking into how one specific fashion business comply with these standards. Shein has been chosen as the fashion business, as it was the most searched fashion brand in 113 countries worldwide (Haqqi, 2022). Besides the global goals, Shein themselves have also set goals and visions internally, which we will also look into in the following sections.
So, how does goal eight and its relevant targets align with a company such as Shein? Shein themselves states that all factories and companies which supply and produce for Shein comply with the national laws and regulations, as well as international human rights and labour conventions and standards (Sheingroup, n. d.). At the same time, Shein themselves has also published a ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’, which specifies certain areas and rules which the manufacturers must apply to (us.shein, n. d.). However, a report made in 2021 about Shein shows something different (Kollbrunner, 2021).
Did you know? Shein's parent company, Zoetop, can have a total of 1.2 million pieces of clothing produced every day (Kollbrunner, 2021).
The Supplier Code of Conduct by Shein states how a safe workplace environment must be met, which is also mentioned in target 8.8 in the UN’s Global Goals. However, the factories in which the goods are being produced are in the report being doomed as not safe. This is due to the lack of emergency exits, barred windows on upper floors, and piles of clothing blocking exits (Kollbrunner, 2021).
The Shein factories are located in China, where the company also origins from. The report illuminates how workers at these factories are working for around 11.5 hours a day, while also only enjoying a single day off a month. According to Chinese law, a working week can be a maximum of 40 hours. 36 hours of overtime is allowed per month, however you must have atleast one day off a week. The working hours at the factories Shein uses, are therefore well over the legal aspect (Kollbrunner, 2021). This is a highly conflictual with target 8.7, as well as the statements made by Shein themselves, as they claim to comply with national laws.
It can therefore be said, that Shein still has work to do to reach the global goal and its target. Furthermore, Shein also has work to do just to reach the statements and goals, which has been set by the company itself.
Bibliography
Haqqi, S. (November 30th 2022). The most popular fashion brands around the world. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from Money: money.co.uk/credit-cards/most-popular-fashion-brands-2022
Kollbrunner, T. (November 2021). Tolling away for Shein Looking behind the shiny facade of the Chinese "ultra-fast fashion" giant. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from stories.publiceye: stories.publiceye.ch/en/shein
SDGS. (n. d.). Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from SDGS: sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8
Shein. (n. d). Improving Lives in the Communities We Reach. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from sheingroup: sheingroup.com/our-impact/people/improving-lives-in-the-communities-we-reach/
Shein (n. d). SHEIN Supplier Code of Conduct. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from us.shein: us.shein.com/Supplier-code-of-conduct-a-1096.html
UNDP Sustainable Development Goals (n. d.). The SDGS in Action. Retrieved November 3rd 2023 from UNDP: undp.org/sustainable-development-goals