Latest news with #Jinjiang
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Brazil Sues China's BYD For ₹300 Crore Over 'Slave-Like' Conditions For Workers
Brazilian prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, accusing the company of human trafficking and subjecting workers to "slavery-like conditions." The lawsuit seeks over $45.3 million (Rs 377 crore) in moral damages from BYD and its contractors, JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta, according to a statement from Brazil's Public Labour Prosecutor's Office (MPT). The legal action follows an investigation that led to the rescue of 220 Chinese workers from a BYD factory construction site in Camacari, in northeastern Brazil, in December. Investigators found that the workers were brought to Brazil under false pretences and held visas that did not match their job roles. Subhuman Living Conditions Exposed: Authorities reported that the workers lived in extremely poor conditions, lacking basic hygiene and comfort. Many were forced to sleep on bed frames without mattresses, and up to 30 people were sharing a single bathroom. The MPT described the situation as a case of international human trafficking and exploitation. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. Allegations Of Forced Labour And Slavery: The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang subsidiary responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. BYD Faces $45.3 Million Lawsuit Over Labour Abuses The MPT is now seeking $45.3 million (Rs 377 crore) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Thursday that Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brazil sues China's BYD over 'slavery' conditions on build site
Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labor conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais ($45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations." ll/ad/mlr/sst
France 24
2 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Brazil sues China's BYD over 'slavery' conditions on build site
The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais ($45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations."
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Brazil sues China's BYD over 'slavery' conditions on build site
Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labor conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais ($45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations."
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Brazil sues China's BYD over ‘slavery' conditions on build site
The case involved 220 Chinese workers found last December living in slavery-like conditions at a BYD construction site in Bahia. (BYD pic) RIO DE JENAIRO : Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labour conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions 'analogous to slavery' at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found 'degrading working conditions' at the site being built as BYD's largest electric car plant outside of Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and in one case had to share a bathroom between 31 of them, it said. Labourers had 'visible signs of skin damage' from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected 'forced labour,' with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70% of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang subsidiary responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais (US$45.3 million) for 'collective moral damages,' as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a 'conduct adjustment agreement' proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Thursday that Beijing 'places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests,' and requires Chinese companies to 'operate in compliance with laws and regulations.' BYD did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment Thursday.
