Summary
Brazilian authorities discovered 163 Chinese workers allegedly living in “slavery-like conditions” at a BYD electric vehicle factory construction site in Camacari.
Prosecutors suspect human trafficking under contractor Jinjiang Group, citing poor living conditions such as mattress-less beds and inadequate cooking facilities.
BYD terminated its contract with the contractor but dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign against Chinese brands.
The workers have been moved to hotels, but their current whereabouts remain unclear as investigations continue. BYD’s factory is set to begin production next year.
if they are in slavery like conditions, just call them slaves.
Brazilian law calls it slavery like conditions because the institution of slavery doesn’t exist, or at least shouldn’t
Unusual obligatory non-paid working contracts. Good enough?
News outlets are careful with language because of libel laws. That’s why we have “accused murderer” or “suspected gunman” even when we have footage of the crime
“Slavery-like” is not slavery.
That said, those people were in slavery. It’s just that the company is being persecuted for 2 other related crimes (slavery-like conditions and human traffic).