FT News Briefing Fast fashion’s new superpower: Shein
Dec 13, 2021
The podcast dives into the soaring costs of air freight and the challenges faced by gig economy workers dealing with algorithmic misidentification. It highlights Shein's rapid ascent to the top of fast fashion, leveraging social media to engage young shoppers while raising ethical and environmental questions. Additionally, the discussion touches on Shein's competitive strategies and the troubling pay gaps between executives and employees, reflecting broader issues within corporate America.
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Soaring Air Freight Costs
- Air freight costs have reached record highs due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and holiday demand.
- This has caused a shortage of containers, port bottlenecks, and increased reliance on air freight.
Gig Worker Fraud Allegations
- Alexandru, a gig worker, was falsely accused of fraud by Uber's algorithm and faced being banned from the platform.
- This highlights the vulnerability of gig workers when algorithms make mistakes and the lack of transparency in their decision-making.
Algorithmic Management Challenges
- Gig workers struggle to challenge algorithmic decisions due to lack of transparency.
- This issue extends beyond gig work and represents a broader challenge in the increasing automation of the workplace.