BYD Brazil scandal exposes flaws in Chinese investment – DW – 01/08/2025
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"Slavery-like" working conditions have been uncovered at the Chinese EV maker's factory site in Brazil, casting a spotlight on the standards maintained by Chinese companies outsourcing workers at foreign locations.

Summary

Brazilian authorities uncovered “slavery-like” conditions at BYD’s factory construction site in Bahia, rescuing 163 Chinese workers subjected to withheld passports, withheld wages, and unsanitary conditions.

The site, managed by contractor Jinjiang Group, was shut down, and BYD faces scrutiny despite its promises to cooperate.

The case highlights tensions between Chinese investment and local labor standards, sparking debates in Brazil and China over worker rights.

Experts see this as an example for Chinese investors to respect Brazil’s independent judiciary while noting it won’t deter future Chinese investments.

  • The Hobbyist@lemmy.zipEnglish
    110·
    1 day ago

    I was looking for some evidence, but the only thing I could find in my brief search was the single image in the following article, it’s not clear what the status of the beds are, nor is there anything about the bathrooms or the withheld passports or the food on the floor.

    https://www.carscoops.com/2024/12/brazil-halts-work-visas-for-byd-as-investigation-on-slave-like-conditions-for-workers-at-new-site-deepens/

    • PhenEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      According to an article in Portuguese:

      • beds didn’t have mattresses

      • up to 31 workers per available bathroom

      • no lockers or any available space to keep personal items

      • no payment at all for anyone who decided to quit, except for the ticket back to China

      • The Hobbyist@lemmy.zipEnglish
        19·
        1 day ago

        Yes, that was all what I read already, but I was wondering if there was any evidence shared or not. I would have wanted good reporting to include pictures, maybe testimonies from the workers or something.

        • PhenEnglish
          10·
          1 day ago

          That’s because the source is not any news reporting but an actual operation from a government agency.

          Anyway, this video has some footage:

          https://youtu.be/JnbRZSvUlfo

          The video also claims:

          • there was no refrigeration for their food and both the ingredients and cooking utensils were all laying on the floor

          • they only had tap water without “water treatment” (not sure what they mean by this, as tap water is supposed to already be drinkable, although in some places in Brazil it definitely isn’t)

          • there was a 60/40 split in their payments, with the company keeping one portion for themselves to cover the cost of bringing them over and keeping them there. The rest was paid in Chinese currency so they couldn’t use it in Brazil.

          • Count Regal Inkwell@pawb.socialEnglish
            1·
            6 hours ago

            Brazilian here

            “Treated tap water” is (theoretically. Most people have a filter at home anyway) drinkable, and you get it from the water company.

            “Untreated tap water” can be pulled from a well, or a cistern, or even bought from the water company, but it has no standards for drinkability it’s held up to. It is therefore, cheaper. It has its uses in cleaning and such.1

          • The Hobbyist@lemmy.zipEnglish
            1·
            12 hours ago

            Yes that was the kind of evidence I was after, we have a much better understanding of the sleeping situation and some highlight of the food area. Thanks!