A report from the international human rights legal organisation "Global Rights Compliance" (GRC), based in the Netherlands, has revealed that multiple global brands could be implicated in forced labour practices within China's Xinjiang mining sector. (Webpage screenshot, June 11, 2025)
[People News] GRC published its findings on Wednesday (June 11), highlighting that several international brands, including Walmart, Nestlé Coffee, Coca-Cola, The Body Shop, and paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, may have indirect connections to forced labour in the Xinjiang region through their Chinese supply chains. This is particularly concerning in the procurement of essential minerals such as titanium, lithium, beryllium, and magnesium.
Voice of America reports that the document titled "Source of Risk: The Critical Mineral Supply Chain and State-Imposed Forced Labor in Xinjiang" indicates that the activities of the Chinese Communist Party's government in mineral exploration and processing in Xinjiang are closely tied to a "labor transfer program," which is widely viewed as a systematic mechanism for forced labor, primarily affecting Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic minorities.
According to the report, 77 Chinese mining and processing companies are involved in the extraction of titanium, lithium, beryllium, and magnesium in Xinjiang, all of which have been flagged for potential participation in the government's labour transfer programs. The GRC also highlighted that at least 68 downstream companies have sourced products from these Xinjiang-related firms over the past two years, including several well-known international brands.
'Xinjiang's mining and processing sectors depend on state-sponsored forced labour programs targeting the Uyghur and other Turkic minority groups in the region. Experts acknowledge that the systematic forced labor practices in Xinjiang serve not only as a means to subsidize operational costs but also exacerbate the government's persecution of Uyghurs through tactics such as family separation, land confiscation, and forced re-education,' the report asserts, noting that these state-sanctioned forced labor practices 'may amount to crimes against humanity.'
The companies implicated have not yet responded to the report. The GRC indicated that all companies mentioned were notified prior to the report's publication and had the opportunity to address its findings.
This report's release comes at a time when the U.S. and China are resuming discussions on trade and supply chain matters. Despite the U.S. enacting the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, which bans imports of products linked to forced labor in Xinjiang, the GRC pointed out that there is still a significant lack of transparency in the supply chain, resulting in critical minerals like titanium entering the global market without clear evidence of forced labor involvement.
The report highlights that Xinjiang has become a key area for the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to promote mineral resource development. Statistics show that the 153 types of minerals found in Xinjiang account for 88% of the total mineral types in the country, with over a hundred having exploitable reserves. Additionally, the resource amounts of 77 of these minerals rank among the top ten nationwide. Xinjiang is now recognised as a significant production hub for titanium and beryllium in China, and several countries have classified it as a 'critical strategic mineral.'
In the report, GRC urges governments worldwide to enhance their forced labour review mechanisms for imported goods. It recommends including titanium, lithium, beryllium, and magnesium on the priority regulatory list and calls on companies to disclose their lists of raw material suppliers and their sources. The report further emphasises that, given the current reliance on critical minerals for the transition to clean energy and national security, ensuring that supply chains are free from forced labour is an essential responsibility for governments, businesses, and consumers alike. △
News magazine bootstrap themes!
I like this themes, fast loading and look profesional
Thank you Carlos!
You're welcome!
Please support me with give positive rating!
Yes Sure!