BYD, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is facing scrutiny for its use of Chinese workers at its factory construction site in Camacari, Brazil. A key labor inspector revealed that the company brought hundreds of workers to Brazil on irregular visas. Recently, 163 workers, contracted through BYD’s subcontractor Jinjiang, were found living in “slavery-like conditions.” All affected individuals have since departed Brazil. The inspector, Liane Durao, indicated that around 500 Chinese workers were brought in by BYD overall. While BYD has pledged to comply with local labor laws concerning the workers’ conditions, the company and Jinjiang did not offer immediate comments in response to the allegations. BYD has previously severed ties with Jinjiang, which disputes the claims made by Brazilian authorities. The situation underscores the growing concerns about labor practices within international construction projects, particularly regarding the treatment of foreign workers. The case highlights the pressing need for adherence to labor regulations to ensure the protection of workers brought in from abroad.
