Thousands of Uighurs Forced into Labor by China
Uighur Forced Labor: Unveiling the Extent of Involvement in Global Manufacturing
Investigations conducted by reputable media outlets, including German publication "Der Spiegel", the "New York Times", and the London-based "The Bureau of Investigative Journalism", have shed light on the prevalence of Uighurs being subjected to forced labor in China, with the scope of the issue possibly extending to German companies and international corporations such as LG, McDonald's, and Walmart.
Labourers from the Muslim minority are reportedly being relocated to factories across China, often under poor conditions and against their will, with some facilities identified in 11 provinces. By examining reports from party newspapers, analyzing provincial government statistics, and assessing tens of thousands of videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, the investigative team identified these 75 facilities. They visited over two dozen of these facilities.
Global brands, including those supplying German car manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, might be using Uighur workers, according to the report. International shipments traced from these factories using customs databases exceeded 145,000, with their products reaching European, North American, and other global markets.
German anthropologist Adrian Zenz, who has been researching repression in Xinjiang for years, suggests that approximately 38,000 Uighur workers are transferred to other provinces each year. An expert group of the International Labour Organization of the UN found "indications of forced measures" in the employment situation of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in China.
In light of these allegations, China dismissed the accusations as "malicious lies invented by anti-Chinese forces," emphasizing that the Xinjiang issue is an matter of combating violent terrorism and separatism. Responding to inquiries regarding their involvement, LG, Walmart, and McDonald's did not provide comment on the situation in the Chinese factories, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz stated they do not condone any violations of their business standards. Volkswagen claimed it would investigate whether suppliers in China are utilizing Uighur forced labor, promising to take action if the allegations are confirmed.
Sources: ntv.de, ses
- Human Rights
- Forced Labor
- China
- The employment policy of global corporations, such as LG, McDonald's, and Walmart, has come under question due to alleged involvement in China's community policy of forced labor, specifically involving the Muslim minority Uighurs.
- The extent of forced labor in China's manufacturing, particularly in relation to Uighur workers, raises concern in the general-news sphere, with science and medical-conditions experts joining the conversation on potential human rights violations, and politicians deliberating the political implications.
