A task force of federal agencies reported identifying 163 workers laboring in conditions akin to slavery at subcontracted companies involved in the construction of BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) electric car factory in Camaçari (50 km from Salvador). Worker accommodations and sections of the construction site were shut down.
In a statement, BYD Auto Brazil affirmed it does not tolerate any violation of Brazilian law or human dignity and announced its immediate decision to terminate the contract with Jinjiang Construction Brazil, one of the companies working on the Camaçari factory project.
According to the investigation, 163 workers, all Chinese nationals, were rescued. They had been working under degrading conditions, including exhausting work hours and restrictions on their freedom. These workers were employees of the Jinjiang Group, one of the contractors hired for the project, according to the task force.
The task force also reported overcrowding in worker accommodations, which lacked mattresses and proper hygiene facilities.
In one accommodation, there was only one bathroom for every 31 workers, forcing them to wake up at 4 a.m. to prepare for their workday, which began at 5:30 a.m.
The auditors also noted that the workers had entered the country irregularly. At least 107 Chinese workers had their passports confiscated by the company, according to the auditors.
