China is facing mounting criticism from around the world over its treatment of the mostly Muslim Uighur population in the north-western region of Xinjiang. Human rights groups believe China has detained more than a million Uighurs over the past few years in what the state defines as "re-education camps". There is evidence of Uighurs being used as forced labour and of women being forcibly sterilised. Between 2017 and 2019, ASPI estimates the Chinese government relocated at least 80,000 Uyghurs from Xinjiang in western China to factories across the country where they work “under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour.” What’s more, it says the manufacturers using these transported Uyghurs supply at least 83 international companies making everything from footwear to electronics. Many corporations—if not all those listed by the ASPI—have supplier codes of conduct prohibiting the use of forced labor. So, how it is still possible for corporations failed to monitor the partners making their product and catch labor abuses? This raises questions about the effectiveness of factory audits. Apple, Nike and Coca-Cola were among companies reportedly lobbying Congress to weaken Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Bill. Do your own research on the corporate use of Uighurs forced labor and respond to the following questions:  

Describe the ethical issue faced by these 83 multinational companies. You can take the example of one company specifically.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The use of forced labor was identified as a critical risk in the supply chain of major corporations in 2011 when reports surfaced that factories in China were using forced labor to make goods for majo... View the full answer