China: Over 100 global brands linked to factories using Uyghur workers recruited through state-imposed forced transfer programme, finds investigation; incl. cos. comments & cos. non-response
In May 2025, a joint investigation by The New York Times, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Der Spiegel found over 100 global brands have received Uyghur labour, or parts and good produced by them, recruited through a state-imposed forced labour transfer programme. Products are then sold in around 86 markets worldwide.
Uyghur workers are allegedly transferred from Xinjiang “with little choice” to factories “thousands of miles away”. The investigation finds many of these brands therefore risk breaching US law sanctioning businesses contributing to the repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
When a government official knocks on the door of a Uyghur person and says they should take a job far from home, the person knows this is not merely a request… refusal is punishable by detention...This is not a choice. This is not consent.Laura Murphy, former senior policy adviser to the Biden administration on Xinjiang forced labour
The investigation analysed tens of thousands of videos on social media, that were then geolocated to identify Xinjiang minority workers in 75 factories across 11 regions, alongside site visits and an analysis of trade data and other sources.
Factories allegedly using Uyghur labour include circuit board manufacturer Elec & Eltek, a factory owned by TCL, computer manufacturer Transimage, Hubei Hangte Equipment Manufacturing, and Dachan Food. Reporting also names Xinjiang Zhengcheng Minli Modern Enterprise Services, a recruitment company that allegedly facilitates the transfers. The companies did not respond to the journalists' requests for comment.
Over 100 consumer brands are linked to the factories, including Apple, Volkswagen, LG Electronics, Skechers, KFC Chicken, Samsung, Cal-Comp, BMW, Subway, McDonald’s, Tesla, Crocs, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler (part of Stellantis), Mazda, Hyundai, Mahle Industrial Thermal Systems, and Midea (which sponsors Manchester City football club).
The journalists reached out to all the consumer brands for comment; responses can be read in the articles linked below from Apple, Samsung, Volswagen, BMW, Crocs, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Mazda, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai and Mahle.
In June, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Manchester City FC to respond to the reporting. It did not respond.