Brazilian officials found 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like conditions” at a construction site for a factory owned by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD in Brazil’s Bahia state, the local labour prosecutor’s office said during a news conference on Monday.
According to the authorities, the workers were hired in China by another firm and brought to Brazil irregularly. They were labouring for long hours, in excess of what is allowed by Brazilian law, sometimes for seven days a week straight, while being kept in what authorities described as degrading conditions in their accommodations, among other labour violations.
In Brazil, “slavery-like conditions” include forced labour, but also covers debt bondage, degrading work conditions, long hours that pose a risk to workers’ health and any work that violates human dignity.
The workers had to request permission to leave their lodgings, and at least 107 also had their passports withheld by their employer, said labour inspector Liane Durao, adding that conditions at the work site were dangerous.
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“We found that the work of ... these 163 workers, was carried out in slavery-like conditions,” Ms Durao said. “Minimum safety conditions were not being met in the work environment.”
The operation is ongoing, Ms Durao said, and fines have not yet been issued. – Reuters
In a statement, BYD said it was notified by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment that subcontractor Jinjiang Construction Brazil had committed serious violations in the Bahia factory.
“BYD Auto Brazil reaffirms its zero tolerance for any disrespect of Brazilian law and human dignity,” the statement said. “Consequently, the company has decided to immediately terminate its contract with the contractor for a portion of the construction work and is evaluating other appropriate measures.
“BYD Auto Brazil emphasises that the subcontractor’s employees will not be adversely affected by this decision, as the company will ensure that all their rights are upheld.
“Since Monday, the company has arranged for the 163 workers of this subcontractor to be relocated to local hotels. Over recent weeks, BYD Auto Brazil has been conducting a thorough review of the working and living conditions of all employees of the subcontractors involved in the project, repeatedly notifying these companies and even implementing necessary adjustments where required.”