An MP has advised Christmas shoppers who order cheap presents from Temu that they run the risk of purchasing products created with forced labor.
The Chinese app was downloaded 19 million times in the UK in 2023. It is well-known for its enormous selection of toys, clothes, and electronics at incredibly low costs.
However, the BBC was informed by Alicia Kearns, the head of the foreign affairs select committee, that she had “long been concerned about the rise of Temu and the risks it poses”.
Temu declared that it “strictly prohibits” the employment of child, forced, or criminal labor.
Following a US government investigation that revealed a “extremely high risk” that goods offered on Temu may have been produced using forced labor, a warning was issued.
According to the Senate Committee, Temu only made steps to prevent this from happening by requiring suppliers to sign agreements that forbade the use of forced labor.
“Expend money like a billionaire”
Temu, which debuted in the US in 2022, is supported by Pinduoduo, a major player in Chinese e-commerce.
Since Temu’s introduction in the UK earlier in 2023, the app has consistently led download statistics. Data analyst Sensor Tower provided the BBC with statistics showing that the app has nine million monthly users.
The “shop like a billionaire” online marketplace enables customers to purchase goods directly from Chinese manufacturers at discounted costs.
It told the BBC that it had assisted “many families mitigate the impact of rising living costs” by providing more reasonably priced options for daily necessities.
Rina, a single mom, concurs. After seeing internet unpacking videos of people opening presents, she decided to try Temu.
The thirty-two-year-old, who has a four-year-old kid and resides in Bedfordshire, claims that purchasing on the Chinese marketplace has allowed her to save money for bills and rent.
“You know, I feel bad sometimes, but I have to put myself first. My son asking me for something bothers me. To buy that, I would want to have some money,” Rina says.
Compared to the years prior to Temu, when she spent between £200 and £300 on gifts, she claims that this Christmas she has only spent £100.
“As a single mother, I have to be on the lookout for a deal. It’s frightening at first, but the price is so low. Thus, I just ignore the negative things.
Rina, who posts vlogs about her purchases on YouTube, claims that Temu contacted her and offered her £100 to perform an unboxing video.
Overwhelmed with advertisements
The business has invested millions in marketing, which has included social media advertisements, brand alliances with internet influencers, and even a 30-second commercial during this year’s Super Bowl. It has been reported that the cost of a prime television spot like this can reach $5 million (£3.8 million).
Temu has a significant online search presence since products from the website frequently show up in the top results when customers use a search engine to look for anything.
According to Alicia Kearns MP, “it’s been difficult to get away from them” after being “inundated” with Temu advertisements.
In order to ensure that “consumers are not inadvertently contributing to the Uyghur genocide,” she is advocating for closer examination of the internet industry.
Over the past few years, China has been accused of forcibly detaining over a million Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Human rights organizations have expressed concern that a significant portion of the cotton exported from the region—roughly 5% of the global total—is harvested using forced labor. Any claims of violations of human rights in Xinjiang are refuted by China.
Speaking about the opaqueness of its supply chains, however, Ms. Kearns cautioned that the reality of lower pricing might stem from a “reliance on slave labor.”
“When you look into where Temu gets its goods from, where in China it is producing them, you can see that these are areas where we know that there is the use of force Uyghur slave labour,” stated Ms Kearns.
“I would like Temu to show us your supply chain.” Prove to us that you are not using slave labor from Uyghurs,” she pleaded.
“Work done by slaves”
Prominent UK anti-slavery NGOs have mirrored Ms. Kearns’ remarks.
Temu should offer “full transparency on its supply chain,” according to Chloe Cranston of Anti-Slavery, and Andrew Wallis OBE, chairman of Unseen, stated that “it is imperative consumers, but also governments know the circumstances and the situations in which goods are manufactured and brought to market.”Customers should consider whether or not these products are really manufactured by slaves. Is it the kind of Christmas present you have in mind?”
Anybody conducting business with Temu, according to Temu, must “comply with all regulatory standards and compliance requirements”.
All of our suppliers and merchants must choose to work for us voluntarily. The spokesman stated, “We expressly reserve the right to end any business arrangement if a third party violates the law or the Code of Conduct on our site.