In March 2020, researchers identified Free People as one of at least 82 global brands whose supply chains were highly likely to contain Uyghur forced labour. Free People, as well as its owner, Urban Outfitters, has not responded to the report’s findings.
(First published 1 March 2020) The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 82 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen.