Slavery risk fears as Temu and Shein sell goods made with Chinese cotton

Australian shoppers buying products from Temu and Shein are being urged to beware of a “heightened risk”.

Exclusive: Ultra cheap e-commerce platforms Temu and fast fashion brand Shein are selling products made from Chinese cotton despite the high risk of links to slavery.

More than 80 per cent of Chinese cotton is produced in the Xinjiang province where an estimated more than 800,000 Uighurs are enslaved.

This masthead has seen multiple examples of cotton products made in China available for sale on Temu and Shein, including clothing and bedding.

Australian Human Rights Institute director Justine Nolan said there was a heightened risk of slavery with any cotton products made in China.

“You just couldn’t say the risk is low when you’ve got over 80 per cent of cotton coming from Xinjiang,” she said. “That’s a high risk.”

A model walks the runway during the Urban Ritual fashion show Fall-Winter 2025/26 organised by Chinese fashion giant Shein in Milan on October 16. Picture: Cruciatti/AFP

China produces about 20 per cent of the world’s cotton, with about 84 per cent coming from the Xinjiang province. The US banned cotton from the Xinjiang province in 2022 under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Ms Nolan said retailers and manufacturers would need to ascertain whether the cotton was produced in China or was sourced from a supply chain outside of China.

“The reality of actually finding that out is very difficult,” she said.

“There’s a heightened risk for any cotton products coming out of China that they are tainted by forced labour.”

Conversely, Ms Nolan said Australia had a very strong cotton industry.

“I would say cotton coming out of Australia is a hell of a lot safer than cotton coming out of China.”

Ultra cheap e-commerce platforms Temu and fast fashion brand Shein are selling products made from Chinese cotton despite the high risk of links to slavery. Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via AFP

A Temu spokeswoman said the e-commerce platform strictly prohibited the use of forced or involuntary labour.

“We have a comprehensive oversight system that includes seller and product onboarding reviews, product inspections, third-party testing and certification, and prompt take-down and enforcement actions when credible issues are identified,” she said.

A Shein spokesperson said the retailer complied with the laws and regulations of each market the company operated within.

At least 800,000 Uighurs have been interned in the Xinjiang province since 2016 where they are forced to work in factories for little to no pay and have limited contact with family.

Suzanne Frugier (right), general secretary of a movement fighting against all forms of violence against children, holds a placard which reads as “Protect children. Not Shein”, as people protest the opening day of Shein's first physical store in Paris. Picture: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP

Kmart came under scrutiny in August this year after the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association took legal action against the retailer in the federal court.

The group claimed that Kmart could be sourcing products from factories linked to forced labour camps in the Xinjiang province.

Kmart has denied the allegations. In response to questions on Chinese cotton, a spokeswoman said Kmart Group was committed to respecting human rights across operations and supply chains.

“Modern slavery is a complex, systemic risk in global supply chains, and we take our responsibilities seriously – publicly reporting through Wesfarmers’ 2025 Modern Slavery Statement and continually strengthening our due diligence and transparency,” she said.

“For over 15 years, Kmart has implemented an Ethical Sourcing Program, to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks, in our operations and supply chains.”