In the shadow of allegations of forced labor in the cotton industry in China, a number of Western brands face fierce criticism and threats of boycott on social media in China • The attack came after clothing chains said they were “very upset”
N12
| Posted 26/03/21 08:40
Nike, H&M, Adidas and other major Western brands are facing a boycott in China, after speaking out against the forced employment of workers in the cotton industry in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. The companies have taken a stand regarding allegations that China employs forced laborers from “re-education” camps in cotton production – noting that they are “very disturbed” by the reports. The giant networks are now facing fierce criticism and boycott threats in China.
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H&M and Nike said months ago that they were bothered by the allegations of forced labor, but now they have found themselves at the heart of a huge storm that is only getting worse. The criticism has erupted on social media in China in the last day, and has so far led to the publication of the Swedish giant H&M From major online stores in China. A prominent celebrity even ended his ties with H&M, the second largest clothing retailer in the world. Nike, Adidas and other brands have also come under heavy criticism.
The anger in the networks erupted after a group linked to the Communist Party published a statement from H&M regarding Xinjiang Province. The statement was posted on Chinese social network Vivo. The statement was originally released in September, and H&M She noted that she was “extremely disturbed” by reports of forced labor in cotton production in Xinjiang.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused China of concentrating Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang in “re-education” camps, and also accused the Chinese of using them for forced labor. They claim that these works are part of the supply chains for global technology and retail companies, directly or indirectly.
The recent sanctions imposed on China by the United States, Britain and the European Union have ignited a renewed defense from Beijing. In China, the camps are called “vocational training centers,” which they say are designed to fight poverty and religious extremism.