How does the US know that forced labor is happening in China? A supply chain expert weighs in [View all]

[BootinUp]

Bhimani leads Northeastern's Supply Trace project, an open-access digital platform that uses machine learning and shipping data—as well as on-the-ground investigations—to link forced labor to international trade transactions.

Recent testing shows that of goods coming into the U.S. 20% of the apparel was still being made with Xinjiang cotton.

How does the US government know that these human rights abuses, including forced labor, are happening?
We have victim testimony. People who are from that region are able to provide testimony of the atrocities that are occurring, which are not limited to forced labor.

Additionally, we are able to leverage the fact that shipments coming out of China into the U.S. and other Western markets are traceable.

How can consumers figure out if a brand was produced with forced labor?
Supply Trace is open to everyone. It is an equal access platform, so anyone anywhere in the world can access it. There is no paywall. You type in the name of the brand or a factory and see potential risk and make better, more informed decisions.

Full article https://phys.org/news/2024-05-labor-china-chain-expert.html