BYD’s EV plant in Brazil was suddenly halted: Here’s why [Update] [Video]

Construction at BYD’s new EV plant in Brazil was suddenly halted Monday after authorities found Chinese workers in “slavery-like” conditions. The workers were hired in China by another firm, and BYD has since cut ties. BYD and the firm are now saying the term “slavery” was unjustly used, and some translations may have been misunderstood.

Updated 12/26/24: This article has been updated with the latest information, including a statement from Jinjiang Group and comments from BYD’s general manager of public relations, Li Yunfei. Read more below.

According to a statement from the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), 163 workers at the construction site of BYD’s new EV plant in Salvador, Brazil, were “being held in conditions analogous to slavery.”

Construction on the site was halted on Monday after the findings. According to the authorities, Jinjiang Group, one of the contractors BYD hired to build the new EV plant, hired the workers in China.

BYD …