The BYD construction site workers have been found labouring for long hours, in excess of those allowed by Brazilian law, sometimes for seven days a week, while being kept in what authorities described as degrading conditions,

BYD Co. has severed ties with a construction firm after Brazilian authorities halted construction of a new electric-vehicle plant where workers were found working and living in “slavery”-like conditions.

BYD (BYDDF) has cut ties with a construction firm Jinjiang Construction Brazil after Brazilian authorities stopped construction of a new electric-vehicle plant after workers were found working and living in “slavery”-like conditions, Danny Lee of ...

"Slavery-like conditions", as defined by Brazilian law, include debt bondage and work that violates human dignity. The MPT added that the situation also constitutes "forced labour", as many workers had their wages withheld and faced excessive costs for terminating their contracts. BYD said affected workers had been moved to hotels.

Scores of Chinese construction workers were rescued from slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory site in Brazil, according to authorities. BYD plans to terminate its contract with Jinjiang Construction.

The Chinese automaker is known for using cheap labor to reduce the price of its EVs, with Brazil becoming its largest overseas market.

Brazilian authorities found dozens Chinese workers in poor abusive conditions at construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric car company BYD is building a factory - Anadolu Ajansı