Wed, 28 May 2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 Brazil sues China carmaker BYD over 'slave-like' conditions

The Public Labour Prosecutor's Office in the state of Bahia says 220 Chinese workers were rescued.

* Brazilian prosecutors are suing BYD and two contractors over alleged human trafficking and "slavery-like" conditions at a factory construction site
* 220 Chinese workers were rescued after investigation began, with authorities saying they lived in cramped accommodation with poor hygiene
* Prosecutors seek $45.5m in damages from the three companies
* Workers had passports confiscated, employment contracts with illegal clauses, exhausting work hours and no weekly rest
* Up to 70% of salaries withheld, high costs for contract termination
* BYD says it has "zero tolerance" for human rights and labour law violations
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