Brazil sues China carmaker BYD over 'slave-like' conditions

Brazilian prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and two of its contractors, accusing them of human trafficking and subjecting workers to conditions similar to slavery at a factory construction site in Brazil. The Public Labour Prosecutor's Office in Bahia state began investigating after receiving an anonymous complaint and subsequently rescued 220 Chinese workers from the site. The workers were reportedly living in cramped and unsanitary conditions, with some sleeping on beds without mattresses and sharing a single toilet among 31 people. Additionally, the workers had their passports confiscated, were bound by employment contracts containing illegal clauses, worked exhausting hours without weekly rest, and had up to 70% of their salaries withheld. The prosecutors are seeking 257 million Brazilian reais, equivalent to about 45. 5 million US dollars, in damages from BYD and the contractors. BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is one of the world's largest electric vehicle makers and has been expanding its presence in Brazil, its largest overseas market. The factory under construction in Camacari, northeast Brazil, was planned to be BYD's first electric vehicle plant outside Asia and was scheduled to open by March 2025. BYD has previously stated it has zero tolerance for violations of human rights and labor laws. This lawsuit highlights serious concerns about labor practices in global supply chains and the importance of protecting workers' rights.