Prosecutors said that in December, 220 Chinese workers were found in a situation “analogous to slavery” and described them as victims of international human trafficking. They’ve filed the lawsuit that seeks more than 257 million reais (US$46 million or $58.8 million) in damages after the companies refused to sign a conduct adjustment agreement, they said.
Brazilian labour prosecutors are suing Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co. and two contractors over allegations of slave labour and human trafficking at the construction site of a manufacturing plant.
The lawsuit describes “degrading” conditions at facilities in Bahia maintained by BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tonghe Equipamentos Inteligentes do Brasil Co. — currently named Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes Brasil Co. It also alleges irregularities with the visas used to bring the workers into Brazil and the confiscation of their passports.
