163 Chinese Workers Found in “Slavery-Like Conditions” at BYD Construction Site in Brazil
Brazilian labour officials discovered 163 Chinese nationals working under “slavery-like conditions” at a construction site for a factory owned by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD in Bahia state, according to the local labour prosecutor’s office on Monday.
The workers, who were hired in China by a third-party company, were allegedly brought to Brazil illegally. They were found working long hours, exceeding Brazil’s labour laws, and sometimes working seven days a week. Authorities also reported that the workers were living in degrading conditions, with additional violations of labour laws present at the site.
In response, BYD confirmed it had severed ties with the company responsible for hiring the workers. The company stated that it is cooperating with authorities and offering support to the workers. However, the names of the involved companies were not disclosed.
In Brazil, “slavery-like conditions” not only refer to forced labour but also encompass other severe violations such as debt bondage, unsafe working conditions, excessive work hours, and any situation that undermines human dignity.
Labour inspector Liane Durao revealed that workers were forced to request permission to leave their accommodations, and at least 107 of them had their passports confiscated by their employer. She also described the work site as unsafe, with insufficient safety measures in place.
Durao emphasized that the operation is still ongoing and that no fines have been issued yet.
