Rebecca Manzi Trafficked Chinese workers lived and worked in inhumane conditions to produce BYD electric vehicles in Brazil
@dw_espanol/Instagram
Slave-like conditions for 163 Chinese laborers were discovered by authorities in Brazil at a facility working on a BYD electric vehicle manufacturing site. The place of construction is in Camacari, Bahia’s northeastern state. Local prosecutors mentioned that the workers had been victims of human trafficking and that they worked under the subcontractor Jinjiang Group. Yet, there was no hard evidence to support such accusations.
Many of those workers did not have appropriate papers and were housed initially in local hotels. Authorities displayed photos of dismal dormitories, featuring beds without mattresses along with improvised cooking facilities. To say the least, the living conditions were abysmal. It is not known, either, if workers were generally abused or without permits to work.
BYD to fire subcontractor
BYD is one of the world’s largest makers of electric vehicles, and it immediately announced it had cut ties with subcontractor Jinjiang Group. The company announced it was investigating further actions while denying any poor working conditions in its factories. BYD, on its part, claimed the reports were part of a smear campaign against China and its brands.
Local residents said many of the Chinese workers had left Camacari since the revelations. Their whereabouts are not known. The factory, which was supposed to start production next year, is now under investigation. No official charges have been pressed against the parties concerned.
Renewed concerns about migrant worker safety
This incident has triggered concerns over safety and rights pertaining to migrant workers, particularly in global businesses originating from countries with less strict labor laws. It shows how there is a persistent challenge in ensuring that ethics in labor practices are part of multinational supply chains.
