Scores of Chinese construction workers were rescued from slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory site in Brazil, according to authorities. BYD plans to terminate its contract with Jinjiang Construction.

Brazilian authorities say they have rescued more than 160 laborers working in "slavery-like" conditions at a construction site for a factory of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD in northeastern Brazil.

More than 160 Chinese workers have been saved from "slave-like conditions" in Brazil, where they had been building an electric car factory for Chinese giant BYD, officials said Tuesday.

Construction at BYD’s new EV plant in Brazil was suddenly halted Monday after authorities found Chinese workers in “slavery-like”

BYD, one of the world’s leading EV manufacturers, surpassed Elon Musk’s Tesla in EV sales during the final quarter of 2023. Brazil, BYD’s largest overseas market, has been central to the company’s global expansion efforts.

More than 160 Chinese workers have been saved from “slave-like conditions” in Brazil, where they had been building an electric car factory

BYD (BYDDF) has cut ties with a construction firm Jinjiang Construction Brazil after Brazilian authorities stopped construction of a new

Officials said staff were working excessively long hours while being kept in ‘degrading conditions’ in their accommodation.

"Slavery-like conditions", as defined by Brazilian law, include debt bondage and work that violates human dignity. The MPT added that the situation also constitutes "forced labour", as many workers had their wages withheld and faced excessive costs for terminating their contracts. BYD said affected workers had been moved to hotels.

Brazil's Public Labor Prosecutor's Office said workers were put in a degrading environment and had their passports and salaries withheld by a building company.

Construction of Chinese EV giant BYD's plant in Salvador, Bahia was stopped by Brazilian authorities due to workers living in slavery-like conditions.