Brazil sues China carmaker BYD over ‘slave-like’ conditions
Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD and two of its contractors, saying they were responsible for human trafficking and conditions “analogous to slavery” at a factory construction site in the country.
The Public Labour Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) in the state of Bahia says 220 Chinese workers were rescued after it began an investigation in response to an anonymous complaint.
The MPT is seeking 257 million Brazilian reais ($45.5m; £33.7m) in damages from the three companies.
BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC but has previously said it has “zero tolerance for violations of human rights and labour laws.”
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