Brazilian Prosecutors Sue BYD Over Allegations of Slave-Like Labor Conditions
Brazilian prosecutors are suing BYD, a major Chinese EV manufacturer, over allegations of slave-like labor conditions involving 220 Chinese workers. The lawsuit, seeking $50 million in damages, follows an investigation that revealed abusive living conditions at BYD’s construction site in Brazil.
Brazilian prosecutors have initiated a lawsuit against BYD, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, alleging the company was involved in slave-like labor conditions. This significant legal action, announced on Tuesday, involves two contractors as well: China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes. Collectively, the prosecutors are seeking damages amounting to 257 million Brazilian reais, which translates to approximately $50 million.
The lawsuit originated from an investigation that resulted in the rescue of 220 Chinese workers last year from BYD’s construction site for a new factory situated in Camaçari, a city in Bahia state. Prosecutors assert that these workers were drawn to Brazil under misleading conditions and with visas that did not correlate with their actual work roles.
According to a statement from the labor prosecutors’ office, the situation for these workers was notably dire. The office reported that “working conditions were extremely degrading.” They further detailed that five settlements utilized by BYD, JinJiang, and Tecmonta were in poor condition. Reportedly, some workers had to sleep on beds devoid of mattresses, with personal belongings placed alongside their food.
The living arrangements for these laborers were troubling, with inadequate bathroom facilities causing significant distress. In one settlement highlighted by prosecutors, there was just a single toilet serving 31 individuals, prompting workers to arise at 4 a.m. to attend to their personal hygiene needs before starting their work day.
As for BYD’s response, the company had not provided any comments following a request from The Associated Press. It is worth noting that back in December, a spokesperson for BYD previously denied reports regarding poor labor conditions at the site, claiming such allegations were meant to tarnish the reputation of China and its brands.
In summary, Brazilian prosecutors have taken a firm stance against BYD and two of its contractors, exposing severe labor violations allegedly taking place at a construction site in Brazil. The lawsuit not only seeks substantial monetary compensation but also highlights troubling conditions faced by workers. These developments raise critical questions about corporate accountability in international labor practices, particularly regarding treatment of foreign workers.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
