Chain of consequences – How Chinese workers pay for supply chain de-risking

The Chain of Consequences report, produced by China Labour Bulletin (CLB) and the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), exposes how global supply chain shifts are impacting Chinese workers. As brands diversify sourcing away from China to manage geopolitical, economic, and pandemic-related risks, factory closures and relocations have left workers unpaid, unemployed, and often without legal compensation. Drawing on CLB’s Strike Map data and case studies, the report highlights the urgent need for multinational companies to conduct meaningful human rights due diligence when altering sourcing strategies. It calls for corporate accountability to ensure that workers’ rights are protected, even amid supply chain restructuring.