Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is facing allegations of “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site for its upcoming plant in Brazil, prompting authorities to shut down the project. Investigators claim workers, brought from China by a contractor, were forced to work excessively long hours, sometimes over seven consecutive days.
Brazil’s public labor prosecutor’s office has accused BYD of subjecting more than 160 workers to inhumane treatment. Over 600 workers were reportedly housed with only eight portable toilets. These toilets were described as being in a “deplorable state,” lacking toilet paper and water.
Food was stored in unsanitary conditions, with meals left exposed on the floor. Additionally, over 100 workers allegedly had their passports withheld, preventing them from leaving without permission.
The prosecutor’s office began investigating the situation in November. Authorities found workers were subjected to forced labor and that basic safety standards were violated.
The plant, intended to be BYD’s first electric vehicle manufacturing facility outside of Asia, was initially scheduled to open by March 2025.
In response to the allegations, BYD stated that it “does not tolerate disrespect for Brazilian law and human dignity.”
The company announced it had severed ties with the contractor responsible and is reviewing working and living conditions for other contractors involved in the project. BYD also said affected workers will be relocated to hotels in the region, and it reaffirmed its commitment to ethical practices.
