Brazil Sues China’s BYD Over Allegations of Slave Labor Conditions on Construction Site

Brazilian authorities are suing BYD, the Chinese electric car manufacturer, over allegations of human trafficking and slave labor conditions at a construction site. The issues stem from conditions experienced by 220 laborers at a BYD facility in Bahia, Brazil. The regional ministry for works found significant violations including degrading living conditions and labor exploitation, leading to a multi-million real civil suit against BYD and its contractors.

Brazilian prosecutors have initiated legal action against BYD, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, along with two contracting firms for alleged human trafficking and ‘slave labor’ conditions on a construction site. Legal documents reviewed by AFP detail serious accusations against the companies, stemming from an investigation in December which uncovered 220 Chinese workers laboring under conditions described as “analogous to slavery” at a BYD plant being built in Camacari, Bahia, a northeastern state in Brazil.

The regional ministry for works in Bahia (MPT) reported that the workers were found in situations deemed “degrading,” revealing the dire state of their living and working conditions. These individuals reportedly had to sleep on floors without mattresses and there was a shocking case where 31 workers shared a single restroom. Additionally, laborers exhibited “visible signs of skin damage” due to excessive exposure to sun while working long hours.

Concerns were raised regarding “forced labor” practices at the site, with allegations of illegal contract clauses, confiscated passports, and employers withholding nearly 70 percent of workers’ wages. Security measures included monitoring employees with armed guards, which added to the alarming situation portrayed in the reports.

Following the surfacing of these allegations, BYD’s Brazilian branch announced it had severed its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for the construction. Meanwhile, Jinjiang has publicly rejected the claims of slavery. Despite these denials, the MPT is pursuing a significant sum of 257 million reais (approximately $45.3 million) in damages for “collective moral damages,” alongside individual compensation for each affected worker.

The civil suit arose after the companies involved, including BYD, Jinjiang, and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now known as Tecmonta), declined to agree to a proposed “conduct adjustment agreement” put forth by Brazilian authorities, which aimed to rectify the labor issues identified. In a statement released on Thursday, BYD emphasized its cooperation with the MPT throughout the investigation and reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights and labor laws as per Brazilian and international standards.

The legal action taken by Brazilian prosecutors against BYD and its contractors sheds light on the troubling issues of labor exploitation and human rights violations in the construction sector. With allegations of forced labor and severe working conditions, the case raises significant concerns about compliance with legal and ethical standards in labor practices. As the lawsuit unfolds, the repercussions may extend beyond financial penalties, potentially impacting the reputation of these companies on a global scale.

Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com