Construction at BYD’s new electric vehicle (EV) plant in Brazil was halted on Monday after authorities found Chinese workers in “slavery-like” conditions. The workers were hired by another firm, Jinjiang Group, which has since cut ties with BYD.
According to a statement from the Public Ministry of Labor, 163 workers at the construction site were being held in conditions analogous to slavery. Authorities alleged that Jinjiang Group had hired the workers in China, and that they were subjected to extreme conditions, including:
* One bathroom for every 31 workers
* Workers waking up at 4 am to get in line for work at 5:30 am
* Sleeping without mattresses on their beds
* Kitchens operating in alarming conditions
BYD has denied using the term “slavery” and claims that some translations may have been misunderstood. The company has cut ties with Jinjiang Group and is assisting the victims as it works with Brazilian authorities.
“We remain committed to full compliance with Brazilian legislation, especially with regard to the protection of workers’ rights and human dignity,” said Alexandre Baldy, senior vice president of BYD Brazil.
A joint virtual hearing of the Public Ministry of Labor and MTE is scheduled for December 26. The situation has sparked concerns over BYD’s commitment to worker welfare and its reputation in Brazil.
BYD’s new EV plant was set to begin production next year, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. The incident highlights the need for improved labor conditions in the construction industry, particularly for foreign workers in Brazil.
Source: https://electrek.co/2024/12/26/byds-ev-plant-brazil-suddenly-halted-heres-why-update