BYD Brazil working conditions controversy

On December 23, 2024, the Brazilian Labour Public Ministry and other agencies conducted a surprise inspection of the construction site of the Chinese company BYD Company in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. The inspection found that the living and working conditions of 163 Chinese workers were extremely poor. The Brazilian authorities condemned the conditions as "degrading" and "slavery-like" and have suspended the issuance of visas to BYD workers until their legal rights are guaranteed.[1][2][3][4]

Findings

The Brazilian authorities found that the workers could not leave their dormitories without permission, were forced to work long hours without weekly breaks, and were deprived of wages and passports.[5] Their living quarters were overcrowded and lacked basic amenities, including sufficient toilets and refrigeration for food.[6] Brazilian labour authorities stated that the workers are victims of human trafficking.[7]

The Brazilian authorities condemned such working conditions as "degrading" and "slavery-like" and have suspended the issuance of visas to BYD workers until their legal rights are guaranteed.[1][2][3][4]

The site was shut down, and the 163 workers at the site were moved to hotel accommodations until a deal to end their contracts was reached.[7] By 8 January 2025, all the workers had received termination payments and returned to China.[6]

Reactions

After the inspection, the BYD Auto Brazil branch admitted that there were problems with the working conditions and had relocated the workers to local hotels.

Jinjiang Group, the contractor for BYD, stated that they rejected Brazilian authorities assessment that the workers are operating under "slave-like" conditions. Jinjiang stated that the statement that the workers are "enslaved" are not accurate and there were mistranslations.[7] BYD at first stated their plan to discontinue the contract with the Jinjiang, but later refused to do so. Li Yunfei, the General Manager of BYD Group's Brand and Public Relations Department posted on Weibo accusing "foreign forces" of "smearing Chinese brands and the country".[8][9][10]

Liane Durao, a Brazilian labour inspector that leads the probe stated to Reuters that the Chinese workers are brought to Brazil on an irregular visa.[11][12]

The case triggered a backlash on Chinese social media against BYD, opening a discussion over worker rights. Some Chinese Internet users said living conditions for the workers in Brazil were typical of those found on construction sites in China.[9]

See also

• Allegations of human rights violations in Belt and Road Initiative
• Foxconn and unions § Brazil

References

1. "比亞迪巴西工地爆奴役中國工人醜聞". Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). 2024-12-25. Archived from the original on 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
2. 莊勁菲 (2024-12-24). "巴西關閉比亞迪在建工廠 稱163中國工人如遭奴役 31人共用廁所". HK 01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
3. "比亞迪巴西建築工地中國工人工作條件被指"堪比奴隸"". Radio France Internationale (in Chinese). 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
4. Lia Rizzo (2024-12-29). "Por trabalho escravo, Brasil suspende vistos para funcionários da BYD". exame (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
5. Pereira, Vinicius; Li, Yuchen (January 8, 2025). "BYD Brazil scandal exposes flaws in Chinese investment – DW – 01/08/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
6. "BYD Brazil scandal exposes flaws in Chinese investment". Deutsche Welle. 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
7. "Brazil says workers at China's BYD site are victims of human trafficking". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
8. "報導：奴工指稱控曝光後 巴西停止向比亞迪發放臨時工作簽證". Voice of America Cantonese (in Chinese). Voice of America. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
9. Teixeira, Fabio. "Brazil says workers at China's BYD site are victims of human trafficking". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-01-03. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
10. Kurtenbach, Elaine (2024-12-26). "Chinese automaker BYD slams reports of poor conditions at a factory site in Brazil". AP News. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
11. Teixeria, Fabiano; Novaes Magalhaes, Luciana (January 8, 2025). "Exclusive: BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers to Brazil on irregular visas, inspector says". Reuters.
12. "BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers to Brazil on irregular visas, Reuters reports". CNBC. 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-09.