Summary
Brazilian authorities discovered 163 Chinese workers allegedly living in “slavery-like conditions” at a BYD electric vehicle factory construction site in Camacari.
Prosecutors suspect human trafficking under contractor Jinjiang Group, citing poor living conditions such as mattress-less beds and inadequate cooking facilities.
BYD terminated its contract with the contractor but dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign against Chinese brands.
The workers have been moved to hotels, but their current whereabouts remain unclear as investigations continue. BYD’s factory is set to begin production next year.
Not shocking. Many of these sketchy Chinese companies offer promises of profits abroad, then abuse the workers and drop them somewhere where they have no support system to rely on.
ProPublica did a great series on this earlier this year on the American marijuana industry