ZTE, a Chinese partially state-owned technology company, was identified in a March 2020 report as one of many global brands whose supply chains were highly likely to contain Uyghur forced labour.
ZTE has not responded to the report’s findings.
This report by Hong Kong Watch explores how many firms on three major global index funds actively use Uyghur forced labor or source from suppliers that do.
(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.