MP raises concerns about Temu shoppers unknowingly purchasing items produced through forced labor

An MP has raised concerns about the popular Chinese app, Temu, warning that Christmas shoppers who order cheap gifts from the platform risk buying items made using forced labor. Temu offers a wide range of clothing, toys, and gadgets at extremely low prices and has been downloaded 19 million times in the UK. Alicia Kearns, head of the foreign affairs select committee, stated that she has long been concerned about the risks posed by Temu. The app, which has 9 million monthly users in the UK, has claimed to strictly prohibit the use of forced labor. However, a US government investigation revealed an "extremely high risk" that products sold on Temu could have been made using forced labor. The only measure that Temu reportedly takes to prevent this is requiring suppliers to agree to terms and conditions that prohibit the use of forced labor. Temu, backed by Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, launched in the US in 2022 and has quickly gained popularity in the UK since its launch earlier this year. The app allows consumers to buy directly from Chinese manufacturers at low prices. While Temu claims to offer affordable options for everyday items, it has faced criticism for potentially contributing to the Uyghur genocide in China. China has been accused of detaining more than one million Uyghurs in Xinjiang against their will, with concerns that much of the region's cotton exports are picked by forced labor. Alicia Kearns MP and leading anti-slavery charities are calling for greater transparency in Temu's supply chain to ensure consumers are not inadvertently supporting forced labor. Temu, on the other hand, maintains that it complies with all regulatory standards and requirements, and employment by its merchants and suppliers must be voluntary.