BYD working conditions controversy
On December 23, 2024, the Brazilian Labour Public Ministry and other agencies conducted a surprise inspection of the construction site of the Chinese company BYD Company in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. The inspection found that the living and working conditions of 163 Chinese workers were extremely poor. The Brazilian authorities condemned the conditions as "degrading" and "slavery-like" and have suspended the issuance of visas to BYD workers until their legal rights are guaranteed.[1][2][3][4]
Findings
[edit]The Brazilian authorities found that the workers could not leave their dormitories without permission, were forced to work long hours without weekly breaks, and were deprived of wages and passports. Their living quarters were overcrowded and lacked basic amenities, including sufficient toilets and refrigeration for food.[5] Some workers were victims of human trafficking.
The Brazilian authorities condemned such working conditions as "degrading" and "slavery-like" and have suspended the issuance of visas to BYD workers until their legal rights are guaranteed.[1][2][3][4]
The site was shut down, and the 163 workers at the site were moved to hotel accommodations. By 8 January 2025, all the workers had received termination payments and returned to China.[5]
Reactions
[edit]After the inspection, the BYD Auto Brazil branch admitted that there were problems with the working conditions and had relocated the workers to local hotels. It also discontinued the contract with the Jinjiang Group. However, Li Yunfei, the head of BYD's public relations department, accused the Brazilian authorities of "smearing Chinese brands and the country".[6][7][8]
The case triggered a backlash on Chinese social media against BYD, opening a discussion over worker rights. Some Chinese Internet users said living conditions for the workers in Brazil were typical of those found on construction sites in China.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "比亞迪巴西工地爆奴役中國工人醜聞". Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). 2024-12-25. Archived from the original on 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ a b 莊勁菲 (2024-12-24). "巴西關閉比亞迪在建工廠 稱163中國工人如遭奴役 31人共用廁所". HK 01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ a b "比亞迪巴西建築工地中國工人工作條件被指"堪比奴隸"". Radio France Internationale (in Chinese). 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ a b Lia Rizzo (2024-12-29). "Por trabalho escravo, Brasil suspende vistos para funcionários da BYD". exame (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ a b "BYD Brazil scandal exposes flaws in Chinese investment". Deutsche Welle. 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "報導：奴工指稱控曝光後 巴西停止向比亞迪發放臨時工作簽證". Voice of America Cantonese (in Chinese). Voice of America. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ a b Teixeira, Fabio. "Brazil says workers at China's BYD site are victims of human trafficking". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-01-03. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ Kurtenbach, Elaine (2024-12-26). "Chinese automaker BYD slams reports of poor conditions at a factory site in Brazil". AP News. Retrieved 2025-01-08.