This report investigates the working conditions of warehouse workers and office staff who have been absent from recent debates about human and labour rights violations at Shein and Temu in China.
Our research shows how a data-driven labour regime forces warehouse workers to compete against the clock and other workers. Not only does algorithmic management push many workers to their physical and mental limits, but it also obscures wage and working time records, making it impossible to detect unfair treatment or seek remedy through labour arbitration.
Office staff work 300-380 hours per month, feel constantly stressed, and are required to be available even when off duty. They compete with one another via individual performance rankings and team-based ‘horse races’. In a toxic atmosphere, employees face a constant fear of punishment or dismissal as well as unreasonable performance expectations and power abuse.