Brazil Sues EV Giant BYD Over ‘Slavery’ Conditions at Plant

Brazilian labor prosecutors are suing Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co. and two contractors over allegations of slave labor and human trafficking at the construction site of a manufacuturing plant.

The lawsuit describes “degrading” conditions at facilities in Bahia maintained by BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tonghe Equipamentos Inteligentes do Brasil Co. — currently named Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes Brasil Co. It also alleges irregularities with the visas used to bring the workers into Brazil and the confiscation of their passports.