03 - Corporate Responsibility & Labor Practices

Uyghurs for Sale

• Chinese government facilitating mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from Xinjiang to factories across China.
• Workers are in factories supplying well-known global brands (e.g., Nike, Apple, BMW).
• Conditions strongly suggest forced labor.
• Uyghurs are segregated in dormitories.
• Undergo language and ideological training.
• Constant surveillance.
• Forbidden from religious practices.
• Limited freedom of movement.
• Some sent directly from detention camps.

Xinjiang's Labor Transfer Program

• More than 80,000 Uyghurs transferred 2017-2019.
• Xinjiang provincial government pays local officials and brokers per transferred Uyghur.
• Jobs transfers are now a crucial part of 're-education'.
• Workers assigned minders.
• Extensive monitoring and surveillance.
• Factories have watchtowers, razor wire, and police guard posts.
• Workers' families are monitored.
• Often paid less than Han counterparts.

Forced Uyghur Labor

• ILO has 11 indicators of forced labor.
• Relevant indicators include intimidation, surveillance, restricted movement, abusive conditions, excessive hours, and isolation from families.
• Chinese state media claims labor transfers are voluntary, but Uyghur workers who have left China report fear of returning to detention camps.
• Workers live in segregated dormitories, monitored closely by police or minders.
• Forced to attend Mandarin classes and participate in ideological training.
• Prohibited from religious practices.

Case Studies

• Case Study 1 (Nike): Uyghur workers in Qingdao making Nike sneakers.
• Case Study 2 (Re-education to Forced Labor): Uyghur workers transferred from Xinjiang re-education camps to factories in eastern China (e.g., the Haoyuanpeng factory).
• Case Study 3 (Apple's Supply Chain): Uyghur workers making components for Apple products (e.g., O-Film).

Implications for the Global Supply Chain

• 82 international companies, directly or indirectly, are potentially benefiting from Uyghur labor.
• Forced labor schemes raise legal and reputational risks for companies.
• Companies should conduct human rights due diligence in their supply chains.

Recommendations

• Chinese government should allow independent investigations into forced labor practices.
• Uphold rights of all workers (especially minorities) to choose where and how to work.
• Ratify ILO conventions related to forced labor.
• International companies should conduct thorough human rights training and due diligence on their supply chains.
• Consumers should push for companies to ensure their products are not made with forced labor.