
After Brazilian authorities temporarily suspended construction work on a factory for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, citing "slavery-like" conditions for workers, contractor Jinjiang Group denied the allegations. More than 160 workers were rescued in Bahia state, according to Brazil's Public Labour Prosecutor's Office (MPT). Jinjiang attributed the claims to cultural misunderstandings and translation errors.
Brazilian labor authorities made the accusations on Wednesday, prompting BYD to cut ties with the firm responsible for hiring the 163 Chinese workers. The EV giant confirmed it is cooperating with authorities, as reported by Reuters. Jinjiang said on its Weibo account that the allegations misrepresented the facts and harmed the dignity of its employees and the Chinese people.