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visionarycios · 16 days ago

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Prosecutors Rescue Workers in “Slavery-like” Conditions at BYD Factory Construction Site in Brazil

https://visionarycios.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1-Prosecutors-Rescue-Workers-in-Slavery-like-Conditions-at-BYD-Factory-Construction-Site-in-Brazil-Source-economictimes.indiatimes.com_.jpg

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Rescue Operation Uncovers Abusive Working Conditions

A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors recently uncovered disturbing working conditions at a construction site in Camaçari, a city in northeastern Brazil. The site, where the Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory, was found to be housing 163 Chinese nationals in what authorities have described as “slavery-like” conditions. On Tuesday, the Labor Prosecutor’s Office released footage showing the workers’ dormitories, revealing beds without mattresses and rooms lacking basic amenities, including spaces to store personal belongings. These appalling conditions were discovered during a raid that sought to address labor exploitation at the site.

The workers had been hired in China by Jinjiang Construction Brazil, one of the contractors working at the BYD factory. The prosecutor’s office stated that the company had confiscated workers’ passports and withheld 60% of their wages. In addition, those who wished to leave the job were told they would need to pay back the cost of their airfare from China.

Labor Abuse Allegations at a Major Electric Vehicle Factory

The construction site in Camaçari, where BYD is setting up its factory, has faced increasing scrutiny following the discovery of these severe labor violations. Prosecutors highlighted the particularly dire sanitary conditions, with only one toilet available for every 31 workers, forcing them to wake up as early as 4 a.m. to wait in line. Workers were then expected to leave for work by 5:30 a.m. These conditions violate Brazilian laws that prohibit forced labor, restrictive working hours, and unsafe living conditions. Prosecutors emphasized that such situations are classified as slavery-like under local law, as they involve forced labor and degrading treatment.

Despite these findings, the situation escalated quickly after the task force intervention. Efforts to contact Jinjiang Construction Brazil, the company accused of exploiting the workers, were unsuccessful, as their contact details were not immediately available. The case raises concerns about labor practices at a major international company’s construction sites.

BYD Factory Responds to the Allegations

BYD, one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, responded to the allegations following the prosecutor’s report. In a statement issued Monday evening, the company announced it would sever ties with Jinjiang Construction Brazil and reassess its approach to labor conditions on the site. BYD assured the public that the workers would be temporarily relocated to nearby hotels and would not suffer financially from the halt in work. The company further revealed that it had been reviewing the working conditions at the Camaçari site in recent weeks and had already demanded that its contractors make necessary improvements.

As part of its response, BYD factory also emphasized that it would take “appropriate measures” moving forward, ensuring the situation does not repeat. However, the revelation of these conditions has raised alarms about the treatment of workers at major construction projects, especially those involving international corporations.

The investigation into Jinjiang Construction Brazil and its labor practices is ongoing, and authorities continue to monitor the situation as they work to ensure that similar violations do not occur at other construction sites across the country.

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