UK Christmas shoppers using the Chinese app Temu may unknowingly buy items made with forced labour, warns MP Alicia Kearns.
Ms Kearns is the head of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Temu is popular for its low-cost clothing, toys, and gadgets.
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But a US government investigation found an “extremely high risk” of products being manufactured using forced labour.
Temu has been downloaded 19 million times in the UK in 202.
The company asserts it “strictly prohibits” forced, penal, or child labour.
The app, backed by Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, has gained rapid popularity in the UK since its 2023 launch.
It allows users to buy directly from Chinese manufacturers at low prices.
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The US Senate Committee reported Temu’s only measure to prevent forced labour was to require suppliers to agree to terms and conditions prohibiting its use.
Alicia Kearns has long expressed concerns about Temu’s rise and associated risks.
The app’s catchy slogan, “shop like a billionaire,” has resonated with UK consumers.
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Its affordability has reportedly helped families cope with rising living costs.
However, a shadow looms over Temu’s success, as the US government’s findings raise questions about labour practices within its supply chain.
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The app’s nine million monthly users, as reported by data analyst Sensor Tower, have made it a significant player in the UK market.
“It’s been difficult to get away from them”
Ms Kearns said she has been one who was “inundated” by Temu’s adverts, telling to the BBC “it’s been difficult to get away from them”.
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She calls for increased scrutiny to ensure consumers do not inadvertently contribute to human rights abuses, particularly the Uyghur genocide in Xinjiang.
Temu has a global presence and extensive reach through search engine results.
This makes addressing concerns surrounding potential forced labour within its supply chains imperative.
Anti-slavery charities in the UK, including Anti-Slavery and Unseen, join MP Kearns in urging Temu to provide full transparency on its supply chain and address the ethical implications of its operations.
