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The construction of a factory for the Chinese electric vehicle company BYD in Brazil has come to a halt after authorities discovered that over 160 Chinese nationals were being subjected to “slavery-like” conditions at the site. This shocking revelation has raised concerns about labor practices and human rights violations in the country.
The laborers, who were brought to the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia to work on the construction site, were found to be working long hours, sometimes up to seven consecutive days, and living in substandard accommodations that were described as “degrading” by officials. They were employed by Jinjiang Construction Brazil, a contractor responsible for the project.
The investigation into the working conditions at the site began in November and culminated in the discovery of the alarming situation in which the workers were trapped. Over 100 of them had their passports confiscated and were unable to leave the premises without authorization. The laborers were recruited in China and brought to Brazil for the project.
The public labor prosecutor’s office in Bahia stated during a news conference that the workers were subjected to conditions reminiscent of slavery and that the work environment did not meet minimum safety standards. Slavery-like conditions in Brazil include forced labor, dehumanizing work conditions, excessive working hours, debt bondage, and any form of work that violates human dignity.
The living conditions at the site were equally appalling, with over 600 employees forced to sleep on cots without mattresses and share only eight portable restrooms that were in a deplorable state and lacked basic hygiene amenities such as toilet paper and clean water. Food was stored in unsanitary conditions close to the restrooms, and prepared meals were left exposed to dirt on the floor and were not refrigerated. Most workers had to eat their meals while lying on their mattresses.
The prosecutors noted that the accommodations painted a picture of degradation and precariousness that was unacceptable in a modern society. BYD, the parent company overseeing the factory’s construction, promptly terminated the contract with Jinjiang for part of the project and vowed to take additional steps to address the situation.
BYD, short for “Build Your Dreams,” was established in 1995 as a battery manufacturer but has since become one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers. Headquartered in China, the company is led by Wang Chuanfu, often dubbed the Chinese equivalent of Elon Musk. It expressed its commitment to upholding Brazilian laws and human dignity and announced that all workers would be relocated to nearby hotels while a comprehensive assessment of working conditions is conducted.
The company emphasized its adherence to local legislation and its dedication to upholding human dignity, respect, and integrity in all its operations worldwide. BYD has been operating in Brazil for a decade and reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair labor practices and safe working conditions for all employees involved in its projects.
The incident has shed light on the importance of monitoring labor practices and ensuring that workers are treated fairly and with respect. It serves as a reminder that companies must take responsibility for the welfare of their employees and maintain high ethical standards throughout their operations.
