Brazilian authorities said on December 27 they were investigating Chinese auto giant BYD and one of its contractors after discovering poor living conditions for workers building a BYD factory in Brazil.
Federal prosecutors are considering possible criminal action after labor inspectors found 163 Chinese workers "in slave-like conditions" at a construction site in the northeastern state of Bahia, the Brazilian government said in a statement.
This photo released by Brazil's Ministry of Labor shows an operation to rescue 163 workers from "slave-like conditions" where they were building an electric car factory for the Chinese company BYD in the Brazilian state of Bahia on December 24.
The Chinese workers, recruited by BYD's contractor Jinjiang Open Engineering, were considered "victims of international human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation," according to a statement from the Brazilian government.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on December 27: "We have noted the relevant reports... and are currently verifying the situation." Ms. Mao stressed that Beijing "attaches great importance to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, and always requires Chinese enterprises to operate in accordance with laws and regulations."
Earlier on December 26, BYD and Jinjiang were questioned by Brazilian government ministries. The Brazilian ministries announced that "these companies are committed to cooperating to protect the rescued workers".
The questioning comes after Brazilian officials announced on December 23 that they had uncovered labor violations at the site of what is set to become BYD’s largest electric car factory outside Asia. The Bahia Labor Department (MPT) has ordered a halt to construction at part of the site.
Inspections carried out since November have found “deteriorating working conditions,” including beds in worker housing without mattresses and one bathroom for 31 workers, according to the MPT statement. Those workers, who were forced to work long hours in the sun, showed “clear signs of skin damage,” according to the statement.
MPT added that it suspected "forced labour" was taking place, with workers' passports being confiscated and employers "withholding 60% of their wages".
After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary announced that it had terminated its contract with the Jinjiang subsidiary responsible for work at the site. The BYD subsidiary also confirmed that it had sent 163 workers to stay at the hotel.
A BYD spokesperson criticized the human trafficking allegations in a post on its Weibo social media account on December 26. Jinjiang also denied the same day that it had subjected workers to slave-like conditions.
Brazilian officials said they asked Jinjiang to take the 163 workers to the police to register them in Brazil’s tax system so they could be paid properly. Officials added that Jinjiang must ensure that seven of the workers, who are scheduled to return to China on January 1, 2025, are given plane tickets and $120 for travel expenses.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/brazil-dieu-tra-hang-xe-dien-trung-quoc-byd-185241228111406012.htm
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