Overview
- On May 27, Bahia’s labor prosecutors filed a lawsuit against BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes alleging human trafficking and forced labor at a new EV factory site in Camaçari.
- The suit seeks 257 million reais in collective moral damages, 50,000 reais fines per violation and individual compensation for each of the 220 affected workers.
- Investigators say the workers were brought under false visa pretenses and subjected to armed surveillance, passport confiscation and withholding of up to 70 percent of their wages.
- Authorities found degrading dormitory conditions including beds without mattresses, overcrowded bathrooms with as many as 31 workers per toilet and no guaranteed weekly rest.
- BYD has broken its contract with contractor JinJiang, reaffirmed its commitment to human rights, pledged cooperation with labor prosecutors and plans to contest the lawsuit in court.